"Memories"
USS GALAXY
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey
Casey sat in the command chair. His arms on the arm rests, his back leaning against the chair, his posture was perfect, he knew how to sit in the Chair like a Captain. Sitting there, his eyes were locked on the vortex. He had never allowed anything to beat him in his life. He hated the vortex.
He may have lost one engagement, but he’d be back and dust whatever got the best of him. He was like one of the greatest generals of the America’s, General Douglas MacArthur. In World War II, he had to escape the Philippines in the middle of the night as the Japanese were taking over the island when he said the words, "I will return." This great man said this to the Phillipino soldiers as he boarded the PT boat that took him to safety. Two years later he did return. Casey had the same kind of tenacity.
He looked at the impossible, and thought of ways to make it possible. It was Deiran’s nature. It’s what made him a good officer and commander.
Sitting there, he could see the low morale of the officers on the Bridge. He stood up and asked for their attention.
"Ladies and gentleman, I realize things look bleak and downright impossible. But we will find a way to make contact with survivors in the vortex. We can’t give up on our friends, remember they wouldn’t give up on us. We must not let them down. Their lives rest on us, their blood is on our hands. Let’s find a way to get them home safe."
Deiran received a few reports from Engineering. Reviewed the sensor readings as the shuttle Kepler entered the vortex. His mind churned for ideas, anything that would help.
The low hum of the warp engines was all Deiran heard. And every once and awhile he heard the turbolift doors whoosh open and shut. But the Bridge was silent.
His mind retreated to a happy memory. He appeared to be on the Bridge with all his faculties intact, but his mind was remembering something joyous and good to him that happened in the past.
He was holding Lara in his arms. He had swimming trunks on, Lara had a small one piece bathing suit on and a little hat that covered her face and eyes from the sun. And Miran had a bikini on. He smiled as he remembered how awesome she looked in that bikini.
The Casey family were on a small yacht near the coast of France, a place called Monaco. It was an enchanting place. Very romantic.
Deiran walked to the front of the boat and watched the waves smash against the poly-fiberglass construction of the boat. Lara giggled as Deiran took her hand and pressed it against his nose. He kissed her on the cheek.
As they enjoyed the waves, the sun and the relaxation of the experience, several dolphins began to swim in front of the boat, riding the current under the boat as it glided over the water. They looked like arrows flying straight and true he remembered.
It was an elaborate Holo-program.
He pointed out the dolphins to Lara. Her eyes grew as big as apples as she watched the dolphins and a smile appeared on her cute little face as her eyes remained fastened to the creatures in the water.
Deiran turned around to see Miran sun-bathing. If Lara was asleep he’d be doing something entirely different. He was blessed to have such a sexy wife.
As he was going down memory lane a brilliant idea hit him!!!! It was so crazy and unorthodox it just might work.
The memory dissipated in his conscience. He stood up and walked to the front of the Bridge. Standing in front of the main viewer. He turned around and faced the crew.
They were looking at him now, he was acting peculiar.
"What is it sir?" Boaz asked.
"I’m getting an idea on how to contact the Kepler crew." Deiran was still distracted by his own thoughts.
Deiran tapped his comm badge, "’Commander Casey to Ensign Sullax."
[Sullax here sir.]
"Ensign, do you have any Science Officers available?" Casey asked.
[Ensign Grump sir. He’s in science lab one.]
"Thank you Ensign, Casey out."
He tapped his comm badge, "’Commander Casey to Ensign Grump,"
[Grump here sir.]
"Ensign report to the Bridge immediately, I have a job for you."
[On my way sir, Grump out.]
"Lt. Samara come with me to the Observation Lounge please. Burnsey you have the Conn, keep us at this distance. When Ensign Grump gets here, have him report to the Observation Lounge."
Casey headed for the Observation Lounge with Samara directly behind him.
Casey sat down and motioned for Kay to do the same.
"I want Engineering and Science to work on alternative ways of communication. Anything you can think of that the Kepler crew could use to get a transmission through the vortex."
"Sir, that’ll take awhile," Kay responded.
"It will, I agree, which is why you can put as many people on this project as you need to get the job done. You and Grump have ten hours. But, I have a solution. Something ancient, but something that could very well work. Reconfigure the sensors to accept sonar transmissions."
"Sonar sir?" Kay asked.
"Yes Lieutenant sonar." Casey was just about to begin explaining when Grump entered and took a seat next to Samara.
"I was just telling Lt. Samara that I want Engineering and Science to work on alternate ways of communication that the Kepler crew could use Grump. One thing I want you to start now is reconfiguring the sensors for sonar transmissions. This vortex is exhibiting fluidic properties. In water, radio transmissions just die. Our transmissions on the Galaxy are similar to radio, sonar was developed so communication could take place with submarines and other submersibles on Earth in the 20th century."
"It just may work sir," Grump said stoically.
"I believe it can work. Sonar moves through water, and should move through this vortex. Water and the vortex have one thing in common. They both are similar in density. Its worth a try at least. Its a long shot, but right now, all we have are long shots. Dismissed."
Deiran let the two officers exit. He turned his chair toward the window, standing up he walked over and looked out into space. The vast, swirling colors of the vortex seemed to haunt Deiran as he stared inside the phenomenon. "Hold on Greer, hold on Ronni… don’t give up," His voice whispered to his friends.
By: "Daniel Woodward"
*** Sick Bay, Gamma Shift ***
The two injured Breen woke up in the ICU ward, and began talking softly. Because of the damage to their soft tissues, they had been implanted with cortical monitors by the head "soother", Doctor Tash. Endris was on duty, caring for other patients in the main ward, But the monitors beeped, indicating the Breen had regained consciousness.
Endris learned their names were Graigo and Erasmo. By the whispered tones of their conversation, it was clear that Erasmo was the senior officer present. The Tellarite doctor reported this to security, learning the shuttle Keplar had exploded. *If there were survivors, they may need medical assistance*, Gakor thought.
Swifter than a fading snack, the doctor called up med records and prepared bio beds for optimal settings for each member of the away team. It was fortunate only 3 people went on the mission, since the unknown properties of the anomaly might make it difficult to restore their health.
Gakor snorted in frustration. There was little else she could do here. But then she remembered her earlier ideas about modifying the transporters. Perhaps there was a way rescue the team. Turing over routine duties to the nursing staff, Gakor trotted out to Transporter room 2.
*** Transporter Room 2 ***
No one was in the transporter room at this hour of the night. Of course, since the Galaxy was in deep space, there was no where for people to transport to. Endris was versed somewhat in engineering, and was able to determine the machine was on stand by mode.
-/\- Gakor to Engineering -/\-
Gakor was a bit surprised when the CHENG answered. With the explosion, the senior officers must have been roused to deal with the situation. Since Sickbay was prepared for casualties, Endris left a message on Doctor Tash's terminal so she would be briefed when she woke for her shift rather than interupting Jurelle's rest.
Lt Mercury informed her that Ensign Dana was free to assist with the transporter modifications. He did not have too many free hands, as crews had been assigned to various tacts of attacking the problem. The arrival of the other Breen vessels also had the engineers scrambling to keep the Galaxy at full battle readiness.
Helpful as always, he suggested contacting the science staff to see if they had ideas on how to beam things out of the vortex. Gakor talked to the science department, and they promised to dispatch someone to the transporter room as soon as possible.
While Endris was waiting for Angela Dana and the scientists to arrive, she made a quick jaunt to the replicator for a meal. Who knew when the next opportunity to eat would occur?
By: Chris Patton
** Bridge **
Lt. Thomas sat at ops on the bridge, thinking about the cost of wearing a Starfleet Uniform. There were always risk working in Starfleet, and he'd seen this first hand. He never knew anyone who got used to losing friends, comrades or fellow officers. There was no evidence to support that those onboard the shuttle Keplar were dead, but time was about up. Chris had spent a few hours working on the issue, but his suggestion all seemed crazy and far too dangerous.
He'd run a few probability tests to determine the risk, unfortunately either the risk was to great or, the odds where to slim to none. He'd considering make his suggestions, but decided not to, as it really wasn't his place. He should use the chain of command and bring his proposal's to Lt. Commander Casey, but he doubted his would be useful. He normally spoke his mind about things regardless of the chain of command, but for some reason he hadn't done that.
He continued to man his station through out his shift, but held his tongue about issues. He didn't want to interrupt current ideas or plans. Though they were by his judgement few and far in coming, but still people in the right positions were making comments about how to get those that had been on the Kelpar back.
Things were not going well, he could tell the crew directly involved were becoming frustrated at the lack of options to reach those trapped, assuming they were still alive. Time was nearly up for rescuing them.
** Gym **
Thomas's shift had been up, and he decided it was time to visit the ships gym. He needed the work out, for two reasons he was starting to get lax in his combat skills and secondly he needed to work out his body which had become seriously stiff.
The gym was the best place to work out his problems in his body. He decided to start off with some stretching exercises first. This was the best place to start when one is not fully ready for extensive exercise. This of course is true for any time anyone plans to do something that requires them to move a lot of different parts they should be ready for problems. After spending about 15 minutes working through some general and specific stretching exercises, he was ready.
Chris decided to start off with a light jog around the track. He spent about 40 minutes jogging around the track. He was trying to work his way back into something's, thorough he admitted to himself that he'd let himself go a bit and that wasn't good. He'd always felt that he needed to be in top physical shape which was true, especially while he was with Starfleet Intelligence. Now that he wasn't with them, he could relax some, but not was much as he had done.
He spent the next few hours working out the gym trying to get back into shape.
** 10-Forward **
After having spent a solid three hours in the gym working out, he was hunger. He decided to drop by 10 forward and get something to eat before going to his quarters to do some work. He'd however been smart and went by his quarters long enough to clean himself up before going to eat. He'd never do such a disservice to himself or the others that might be there.
Chris Patton
By: The Fly
“Greer, his heart-rate is beginning to slow.” Ronni said. After screaming like a madman, and backed up by the physical actions of one, AC had remained silent for over an hour. The two science officers, still in their right mind, tried to make sense of what this all meant.
They had gathered that Alan had been contacted, or in this case overtaken, by some being that possessed telepathic abilities. It seemed that the three officers were looked upon as a disease to this space, something that had to be destroyed. Whoever lived in this mysterious fluidic space didn’t like intruders at all.
“AC...Alan can you hear me?” Greer said, trying to coax AC back into the land of the living.
Ronni used her maneuvering thrusters to come up along side the engineer. She attached a connecting line from her suit to Alan’s and reeled him in. Maybe physical contact, even through an EVA suit, would help to bring him around.
“Alan, it’s gonna be all right.” Ronni reassuringly said, though she was not sure if she was trying to convince herself or AC. “If you can hear me, try to say something.”
Still nothing.
Greer glanced at Ronni who simply shook her head. “I don’t think he’s ‘coming round, Greer.”
“Does he still have his tricorder?” Greer asked, trying to get his mind off the fact the Alan might not recover from this.
AC was tucked into a half-ball, floating horizontal to the Delphinian. She turned him over and looked to see if she could find the valuable piece of equipment. Thankfully it remained clutched in Alan’s left hand.
“Yeah, he’s still got it. Let me see if I can pry it lose.” Alan was a man of average strength, but Ronni was quite surprised to find that the unconscious human still clutched onto the instrument with a very tight grasp. “Here you go.” Ronni said as she handed the tricorder to Greer, who had pulled up beside the other two.
“Time is running out, Ronni. And with AC in this condition, we may have even less than we thought. We need to get this sonar transmitter completed. It is our last, best hope unless the Galaxy can manage to find a way to pull us out of here. Plus I don’t feel like sticking around and experiencing whatever happened to Alan.” Ronni nodded in agreement and the two began to work as quickly has their oversized gloves would allow.
After about another fifteen minutes, Alan began to stir. He was mumbling something that was almost inaudible. Gradually, his words increased in volume.
“If I'm dreamin', don't wake me, Macushla,
“Scottish?” Ronni said, just a little surprised to hear a folk song coming from a man who seemed possesed just a short while ago.
“Irish, I believe.” Greer said. A smile formed on his face as he positioned himself over AC’s head. “Alan?”
“Oh god dammit...I thought I’d died. I guess I wasn’t that lucky.” Alan said as he opened his eyes.
“Alan, how do you feel?”
“I feel like I just downed a whole bottle of Romulan Ale, then jumped off the Anderies Cliff on Galmad 5. Oh shit! Greer, we gotta get the hell out of here. NOW!” The images from his vision came rushing back into his mind. “Whoever’s out there, they plan on getting rid of us in a hurry. They blame us for creating this vortex! And as you can guess, they’re pretty pissed off about it too.” Alan pleaded with Greer, as if the science officer could suddenly transport them back to their space.
“They may not get the chance.” AC turned his head to see Ronni who still was attached to him. “Our air supply is starting to run low. You used up quite a bit of oxygen during your telepathic experience. And the altered air I’m breathing is putting a strain on my suit. Greer maybe the only one left alive by the time these aliens try to put the squeeze on us.”
“Greer,” AC said, feeling as defenseless as a baby, “what are we going to do?”
By: RC Laven
Greer hesitated activating the sonar beacon for a moment. This latest development with AC left Greer with more concerns about their immediate safety. It appeared that they were not simply isolated in an unfamiliar environment, but some where, amidst this dense, fluid-like matter was some form of intelligence at work. Perhaps the same source of the electric blast that destroyed the Breen vessel.
Was it friendly? If not, could they avoid them until help arrives? Did they know where the away team was? If they activated the sonar beacon, would they be leading whomever was responsible for the engineer's 'attack' where they were? Would they attempt to contact them again?
It was obvious if they did nothing they would probably never get home. Surely the USS Galaxy would have been able to detect the shuttle warp core breach which consumed the Shuttlecraft Kepler. Taking a deep breath he activated the tricorder. Several brief, but tense moments passed until the tricorder began to relay a signal that the other tricorder near the solidic barrier was receiving and transmitting their 'lifesign'. Hopefully, if the other intelligence detected the pattern, would overlook it and leave them be. If not, perhaps the distance between the second tricorder and the away team would help them remain inconspicuous to whatever, whomever, was out there.
"The beacon is active and should continue to transmit until we terminate it." Greer said as he caught a small current towards Ronni and AC. "How is he doing?"
"I think he'll be fine." Ronni replied. "I know you have no intention on staying here longer than necessary Greer, but I really think we should get out of here as soon as possible."
Lieutenant Erikson nodded. Although he was able to separate his emotions and fears from interfering with any decisions he made, Greer had never been in a situation quite like this before. The task of being responsible for another life is one of the greatest responsiblities any individual can take. It was a responsibility which had become painfully clear.
By: Simon Hawke
"Insomnia an the Working Man"
Robert tossed and turned in his bed. Sleep was an elusive goal, he never could grasp. Too many thoughts ran through his head. Alyssa is dead, Simon is broken up, a shuttle destroyed. Finally, with a sigh of resignation, he got up and changed into a casual outfit.
"Ten-forward, I guess." he mumbled as he walked down the corridors of the mighty starship. A few moments later, he entered the room. It was quite, almost abnormally so. Everyone was quite, eyes downcast. RObert knew exaclty what they felt.
He stepped up to the bar and smiled at the young orion, "You wouldn't happen to havve an Guiness Stout? Slighty chilled."
"Of course," the woman smiled and placed a glass in front of him. Robert carried it off and found a small table in the corner. Removing a PADD from his pocket, he began to read.
Ens. Robert St. John Operations-U.S.S. Galaxy
By: Price
Captain Price awoke with a jolt. Quickly opening his eyes, Lee took in his strange surroundings before realizing where he was. He was in his cabin, in the living quarters. He'd taken to sleeping on the sofa, since the young boy Colby had burrowed himself into his bed.
Massaging the crick in his neck, Lee got up and checked on the boy in his bed room. He was still soundly asleep, wrapped up tightly in the many blankets that adorned the Captain's bed. Watching him for a moment, Lee couldn't help but imagine how comforting it must be to sleep in a real bed after so many weeks of 'camping out' in the cargo bays below decks as a stowaway. Lee decided to let the boy sleep while he took a quick sonic shower and dressed into a clean duty uniform.
The Captain's movements must have awoken the boy. "You shower too much." Colby commented from the bed.
Lee turned and glanced at the small Betazoid child and smiled. He was sitting up on the bed now and his hair was all a mess, but he looked well rested.
"It's good to shower regularly 'mate. Makes your skin feel all tingly and clean. Nothing like the invigorating feeling of a sonic shower. You should try it sometime when you are old enough." Lee smiled.
"I am old enough!" Colby bellowed. "I used to take them all the time when I was with Dev." He stated defiantly, crossing his arms in satisfaction.
"Crickey! The Counselor let you take a sonic shower? I don't believe that." the Captain countered, "She must of been in there with you in order to work the controls I imagine..."
"No way! I know how to do it myself. It's easy." Colby replied, "I can prove it if you want."
Captain Price crossed his arms skeptically, "Fair dinkum then little 'mate. Show me. The shower's right through there." Lee pointed, acting like he didn't believe the 8 year old knew how to take his own shower.
Colby threw the blankets out of his way and hopped off the bed landing with both feet in a plop. Quickly hiking up his drawers, he marches into the bathroom with a defiant, "I'll show you!" expression on his face. Lee had to struggle to keep from smiling at him. Instead he maintained his poker face that years of Captaincy had refined. The look that expressed his doubt in the boys' abilities.
The door promptly shut and Lee could hear the high pitched hum of the shower starting up. Now smiling fully, he began fixing the bed while Colby showered.
"There! I told you I could do it." Colby beamed when he exited the bathroom.
Lee looked surprised. "That's pretty amazing Colby. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself. You must be one smart 'mate." the Captain smiled.
Colby watched as the Captain finished making the bed. He was standing proudly over his accomplishment at taking his own shower. He was glad he had been able to impress the Captain with his abilities, though he wasn't really sure why that was. He just knew if felt good.
While placing the last touches on the bed, a channel opened.
["Captain, Casey here. Sorry for bothering you sir."] the Lieutenant Commander hailed.
Colby frowned, as if annoyed that someone would interrupt his accomplishment with the Captain. Lee noticed the boys expression change while he reached for his comm badge, though he didn't react to it to let the boy know he'd noticed. "Price here Deiran. It's okay, I was just getting dressed. What's up 'mate?"
["Possibly some good news Captain. I had Science and Engineering working on a way to reconfigure the Galaxy's sensor array to emit narrow band transmission to use as a sort of 'sonar' detection system for scanning beyond the vortex singularity."] Deiran began.
"Aye, go on 'mate." the Captain beckoned over Colby's obvious objections when he crossed his arms, turned away and pouted.
["Well sir, our system is not fully functional yet, but Lieutenant Samara was checking the modifications to the sensor receptors and we think we may be receiving a signal from beyond the vortex Captain."]
Lee's expression and tone brightened, enough so that even Colby could tell he was excited over this news, whatever it meant. "Really? What sort of transmission 'Commander?"
["We are trying to determine that now. I have three Science officers working on it sir, but the signal is consistent in strength and amplitude to something a modified tricorder might emit."] Deiran explained optimistically.
"That's bonzer news 'Commander. I will be on the bridge shortly. Continue working on deciphering the transmission. Maybe Erikson and the rest of the away team did have time to evacuate before their shuttle was destroyed." Lee said in a hopeful tone.
Colby was quietly eavesdropping and now realized why the Captain was glad to hear about this signal or whatever. Somehow he was a little less annoyed at being interrupted with his time in the Captain's company when he realized that there were people out there that they were trying to save. He continued to listen.
["I'm sure Ensigns Idana and Rodley will have something by then sir. I will have Lieutenant Samara and Ensign Gretzky continue their work on the sensors. We should be ready to transmit soon."] Deiran explained.
"Bonzer job 'mate. I'll be up shortly. Price out." Lee tapped his badge again, deactivating the channel with a chirp. He was smiling slightly at hearing the news.
"That signal thingy is a good thing huh?" Colby asked standing off to the side near the doorway entrance to the bedroom.
"Yes. It's a great thing 'mate. See, we sent out four of our brightest, best trained officers on a shuttle craft to explore the vortex in space. They made it through okay, but when they got on the other side, something happened and the shuttle they were on exploded. We have been trying all night long to contact them and to try and find out if anyone survived. Because they may have abandoned ship just before she exploded. This signal could mean that some or all of them are still alive and waiting for us to go rescue them." Lee summarized for the boy.
Colby nodded understandingly. It was an interesting expression for an eight year old, but in a way, the little Betazoid child had been through so much in the last several months that he seemed older than his years. "That sounds like a good thing all right." He nodded.
"Well 'mate, what shall we do with you?" the Captain said placing a finger to his chin as if he were struggling to think. After a moment he continued, "I think I have got it. Why don't you and I go grab a quick snack in the Mess Hall, and then I can take you up onto the Bridge? I have to go and look into these transmissions Lieutenant Commander Casey has informed me of, but right now, I'm famished! What do you say little 'mate? Want to go to the tucker with the Captain of the ship?"
Colby looked off into the distance as if he were thinking about the idea before giving a confirming bob of his head. "That sounds like a good idea." He stated in a tone that sounded more like it was coming from an elderly Vulcan than a little Betazoid child.
"Fair dinkum 'mate. Common, I'll show you the way. Ever had 'pigs in a blanket' Colby?"
"I know the way! And blue berry pancakes are way better. Dev always let me have them with chocolate milk and lots of syrup!" Colby declared as he and the Captain exited his cabin and proceeded to have a quick breakfast in the mess hall on deck 9.
*****
*** Bridge, USS Galaxy ***
The tubolift opened onto the bridge of the premier Galaxy Class Starship. Captain Price and the young Betazoid boy, Colby stepped out. Colby had been on the bridge before with Counselor Salshyar before Dev had to leave the Galaxy, but this was the first time he'd ever been the Captain's guest on the ship's most important deck.
"Captain. Welcome back sir." Deiran greeted in his typical top brass tone, "And I see you have a new recruit with you. Shall I place him at the helm sir?" Lieutenant Commander Casey joked.
Colby's eyes widened in excitement as he looked at the Captain. Lee shook his head in the negative. "No 'mate." He said quickly, but then seeing Colby's disappointment added, "Ambassador Colby here has come to observe and evaluate the effectiveness of the coming shift change 'Commander. I expect everything to be in top order for the Ambassador. So make sure all of your people look sharp 'mate."
Casey straightened as if Admiralty had just stepped onto the bridge. To add effect, Deiran quickly snapped a military style salute to the young boy who seemed to enjoy the attention he was receiving. "Yes sir. if there is anything I can do Mister Ambassador, please let me know sir." Deiran said, clicking his heals together.
The 'Commander just stood there with his hand to his head, perfectly straight. Colby giggled slightly but after a few moments wondered what was going on. This 'Commander wasn't saying or doing anything other than standing there in a full attention salute. Confused Colby glanced at Captain Price. Lee gave a small grin and made a motion with his own hand indicating that Colby needed to salute back. The boy quickly caught on, standing upright and snapping his own salute back. Deiran smiled.
"As you were 'Commander. Now, what have we found out about these transmissions?" Price asked as the three of them began walking over to the science stations where Idana, Rodley and O'Hare were all working on cleaning up the low power signal they had received while Engineering was reconfiguring the ship's sensors to act as a 'sonar' like receptor / emitter.
Deiran motioned to Ensign O'Hare, "Tell the Captain what you told me Ensign."
Ensign O'Hare glanced back surprised at the 'Commander's request. Swallowing quickly, he addressed the Captain. "We have been able to clean up the signal and amplify it enough to determine what it is sir. It appears to be the life signs of three members of the away team. The signal has degraded too much to determine exactly who's life signs sir, but we can see that it's two humans and one Delphinian." O'Hare explained.
Lee nodded, "Okay, then we know that at least most of them were able to make it out of the shuttle." Turning, Lee glanced at Ensign Idana, "Ensign, how much time does the away team have oxygen wise, given the fluidic nature of the environment beyond the vortex?"
The Trill tapped a control punching up Ensign Sullax's program that had a digital count down running based on his earlier calculations. "According to this Captain, 16 hours, possibly less." Idana explained.
Lee nodded and turned back to face Lieutenant Commander Casey. Colby seemed content to walk around the bridge and closely 'examine' each station in his role as "Ambassador". He was holding his hands behind his back and walking around as dignified as he could, just as he'd seen other Ambassadors when he visited the Galaxy.
"'Commander, any word from Engineering on when we will have the emitters online and ready to transmit a message back to the Away team to let them know we got their signal?" Price asked.
"Lieutenant Samara and Lieutenant' Grump are working on it now sir. It should be ready soon." Casey explained.
"Good. When it is, transmit a signal back into the vortex to let our 'mates know we are working on a solution to get them out of there." Captain Price started, "Next, I think we should work on a way to allow our transporters to penetrate this 'fluidic space' so we have a way to extract the away team."
"Captain, even if we were to allow for the thickness of the fluidic matter and compensate for it, we still would not be able to get a transporter signal through the vortex with any hopes of retrieving it from this distance." Deiran explained.
"Aye 'Commander. We'd have to take the Galaxy into the vortex. I know. But we did that before when we rescued the Breen survivors, so we know that can be done." The Captain explained.
"But sir..." Deiran continued his thought, "the Breen were on THIS side of the singularity. Erikson and the others are on the opposite side."
"That's why we need to modify the transporter Deiran. I'm not willing to take the Galaxy through the vortex, even now that we know there are survivors. It's too risky to the ship 'mate. I have over a thousand other lives to think about besides the away team." Captain Price explained sadly.
Casey nodded. He understood the decision. Those were not only the Captain's officers out there, they were also his friends. It was tough giving the order that could condemn them to death. Deiran knew that all too well. They were his friends too. And so long as he had anything to say about it, he was going to find a way to save them without jeopardizing the ship. "I understand Captain." Deiran nodded.
"I'll relieve you here 'Commander. I want you to get down to Engineering and see how Samara is progressing. Then let her know that we have less than 16 hours to find a way to modify the transporters or the survivors of the Kepler are going to die from asphyxiation..." Lee ordered.
"Will do Captain." Casey replied while glancing over Lee's shoulder at 'Ambassador Colby' who was examining the Operation's console and imitating a 'white glove test'. Deiran smiled and nodded over to the boy causing the Captain to look as he spoke, "What do you plan on doing with the boy sir?"
Lee shook his head unknowingly. "I guess I'll keep him here for now. Everyone is busy trying to rescue the Kepler crew at the moment. I don't want to leave him in my cabin alone again."
"If you like sir, I can contact Miran and see if she'll watch over the boy. She'd probably enjoy the company." Deiran suggested.
Lee turned around and faced Deiran, "That would be great 'mate,... if you are sure Miran wouldn't mind. I need to concentrate on the situation at hand I'm afraid. I'd hate to see the boy get short changed because of my duties as Captain of the ship."
"I'll ask her Captain, but if I know Miran, she'll jump at the chance to have some company. Lara is nice, but she's just a baby. Miran misses having someone to talk to I think."
"Okay. Thank you Deiran. That would be quite an aid 'mate." Lee thanked.
"I'll let Miran know on my way to Engineering sir. Don't worry Captain, we will figure out a way to get Greer and company home. I guarantee it!" Casey smiled before turning to exit the bridge.
"I hope so 'Commander." Lee said quietly, but in a more hopeful tone than he'd had just the evening before, "I hope so."
By: "Ryak Sullax"
"Damn S.I.!!!!" Ryak yelled this as he punched the wall. What know Ryak thought to himself. Should I inform the Captain or should we try this first. Ryak had been to into his anger to hear security arrive.
"Ensign, no doubt you are glad we found you. Sorry about the delay, we were a little distracted." Chanor said slightly sarcastically.
Ryak looked them both over, realising that he'd been found at last, and that made his dilemma worse. "Security, I do have to say that it is about time. Know that you have found me keep quiet and stay out of my way." Ryak knew that this was going to get a reaction. The Klingon of the group did not look to impressed.
Ryak went back to his work, upgrading the long range sensors. As Ryak worked Commander Casey contacted him and asked who was not busy at that time so Ryak told him and went back to work without giving it a thought. As the time passed Ryak got concerned. He called up the screen on his Padd to see what was going on. The anger started building in side him as he saw what the bridge was doing. They were working on a sonar type device. Ryak was unsure what this was all about. He was already working on such a thing. Ryak finished quickly what he was doing and headed for Engineering to see how his beacons were doing.
After seeing that they were doing fine Ryak and his entourage headed to the bridge. As he made his way through the corridors he thought of all the work he had put into getting things ready for the probes. Ryak stopped. He remembered that somebody requested that somebody go and help work on the Transporters. Ryak knew that the bridge didn't care about anything that the Romulan Officer was doing so he turned and headed for the transporter room. The bridge could take over everything and he'd just go back to doing absolutely what was required. As long as his escorts where ok with that. Ryak stopped again. Wait, what if that is what they want. Humans are so hard to understand. Ryak changed his mind and headed for the bridge.
On his way to they bridge he pulled out his Padd and started double checking where everybody was. O'Hare and Rodley are in Engineering while Grump and Idana are on the bridge doing some sonar thing that Ryak was working on. Ryak put away his Padd and headed to the bridge for answers.
Chris Gagne
By: Rob
Casey had been relieved from gamma shift by the Captain. It had been a long shift. He felt like going to his quarters and collapsing into dreamland. But, he had things to do. First stop was his quarters.
*** Casey quarters ***
Deiran walked inside and saw Miran feeding Lara. It was a beautiful site, precious and innocent. Deiran beamed with pride, he was so proud of his family. He couldn’t stop thinking about being a father, a husband and to top it all off he was a Lt. Commander and second officer of the premiere Galaxy class Starship. His life was good.
He had to be tactful as he approached his wife. "Hi Honey, how are my favorite two girls this morning?"
"Hi hon, we are both fine thank you," she smiled back at him. She loved it when he flattered her or showed her attention.
"Miran, the Captain has a favor to ask of you?" Deiran began.
"Really? What does the Captain need?" she asked inquisitively.
"Well, you know Colby Torwyn? Counselor Salshyar’s child. The Captain was wondering if you could watch Colby for awhile. I have some work to do for a couple of hours. And then I’ll be back. The Captain really needs your help with Colby. He’s on the Bridge acting as Ambassador," Deiran laughed as he remembered the little boy walking around the Bridge acting like a stuffy Ambassador.
"Let the Captain know okay honey, I have to get to Engineering. Pray for Greer and Ronni. I’m on my way to Engineering, I need to save them, I have to get them back Miran. I want to spend some time with you today okay?" Deiran said it as a statement, not a question. His sentences, short and quick as they came from his mouth. He was in a hurry.
Deiran moved close to Miran and gave her a long, passionate kiss on the lips, embracing her close to him. "I love you," he said in her ear.
He stood up, leaned over and kissed Lara on the forehead and exited his quarters.
*** Engineering ***
Deiran walked into Engineering. It was bustling with activity. Many of the officers acknowledged Deiran as they saw him, or walked by him. He smiled in return or said hello. Finding Samara, he walked over to her.
"Hello Kay, how goes the transmitter?" he asked her.
"We’re almost ready. Another half hour at the most sir."
"Our friends have 16 hours Kay, maybe less than that. We don’t have time. You’re authorized to make this priority and get it finished as quickly as possible. Take as many people as you need. When it is done, let the Captain and myself know okay? The Captain’s on the Bridge and I’m not sure where I’ll be, I have some rounds to make. Some things I need to finish. Be sure to let me know when your ready to send a transmission, okay?" Deiran couldn’t hide his concern. His tone was light and friendly, but he expected Kay to get it done fast. She could tell by the urgency in his voice how concerned he was.
"Kay, you’re doing a great job, keep it up. Be sure to let David know what’s going on when he gets here to relieve you?" he wanted to be sure Kay knew he wasn’t jumping down her throat.
"Aye sir, will do."
Deiran left Engineering. This was Kay’s baby anyway. Deiran was going to take a stroll around the ship. He needed more inspiration. He needed something that would get the Kepler crew out alive. They didn’t have enough time to modify another shuttle. The only thing he could think of was relay beacons. Most of the reconfiguration could be done by the computer now that the metaphasic shielding plans had been programmed into the main computer.
If they could communicate with the crew inside the vortex, they could tell them the Galaxy’s plan. Send in a few beacons, time the transport for a few seconds, being perfectly precise before the beacons would explode, make sure the transport pattern was relayed from the beacons before they blew up and send it along in microseconds back to the Galaxy. It was risky, had to be well planned but could work. Only problem was they had to make contact with the Kepler crew first so they would know what would take place and let them know of the timing involved. It was worth a shot.
"Casey to Captain Price," Deiran said, tapping his comm badge.
[Yes ‘Commander?]
"The sensors will be ready in about 20 minutes Captain. Sir, I have an idea I think will work in getting the Kepler crew home. May I present it to you sir?" Casey asked.
[I’m looking forward to hearing this one ‘mate.]
"I’ll meet you in a few minutes sir. Casey out."
Shutting off the transmission with the Captain, Casey headed back to the Bridge.
*** Bridge ***
Casey walked down into the command well and sat where the Counselor would sit. Casey nodded to Commander Sterner as he took his seat on the left.
"Sir, what if we modified relay beacons and put about ten or fifteen in a line with two to three being put inside the vortex. We use metaphasic shielding on the ones that go inside the vortex. We’ll have to time the transport before the beacons explode. To do that, we’ll have to make contact with the Kepler crew sir. I can have some of my Ops officers work with Science and Engineering to work on the beacons. I figure we put them in a line, once we have their patterns in the beacon, we can have them out of the vortex in microseconds. Their pattern should be steady as it moves along the relay beacons and we can get them out of the vortex and beam them aboard. Like I said its risky, but right now, unless someone else comes up with a better idea, it’s our best shot."
By: "B'Elanna Torres"
Growling softly in anger at her console, she gave it a soft wack when it gave a negative result to a simulation on one of her ideas.
Her Klingon hearing picked up the sound of Commander Casey speaking to her. Turning slightly, she listened,
"Lt. Samara come with me to the Observation Lounge please. Burnsey you have the Conn, keep us at this distance. When Ensign Grump gets here, have him report to the Observation Lounge."
Getting up from her console, K'Eytyanna followed Deiran into the lounge and took a seat near the window after Deiran motioned her to. She cracked her knuckles in frustration at being dragged away from her console.
"I want Engineering and Science to work on alternative ways of communication. Anything you can think of that the Kepler crew could use to get a transmission through the vortex."
Her Klingon side snapped mentally, { What does he think we are doing already?? Twiddling our thumbs and playing silly buggers!}
Her human side stepped in before she could spit out an isolent comment,
"Sir, that’ll take awhile."
"It will, I agree, which is why you can put as many people on this project as you need to get the job done. You and Grump have ten hours. But, I have a solution. Something ancient, but something that could very well work. Reconfigure the sensors to accept sonar transmissions."
Without thinking, she gave him a suprised look, speaking aloud,
"Sonar sir?"
Ensign Grump chose that time to enter, but K'Eytyanna ignored him, intent on the problem at hand. She listened to Deiran's explaination and with it came a whole new area where her communications knowledge would be useful.
Once she was dismissed, she tapped her combadge,
"Lt Samara to Ensign Sota, please send up somebody to take over on the bridge.. Commander Casey has suggested we investigate sonar transmissions, and given us 10 hours to do it. I'll be down there in 5 minutes and I want a team ready to go EVA if neccessary."
Lt K'Eytyanna Samara, USS Galaxy - Engineer/Shuttle Pilot
***** Long Range Sensor Bay *****
Cat walked into the Long-Range Sensor Bay. She nodded a greeting at Lt Paran and Ensign Rios, and continued to Ensign Sullax.
She looked at Ryak as he was working on the Long-Range Sensors. He was busy, deep in thought and concentration as he worked on a solution to save the missing Galaxy crew. Suddenly his hands faltered and slipped, he shook his head to try and clear it.
"Ryak!" Cat opened her tricorder as he turned to face her. "Hold still for a few moments!"
"Thank you for coming Cat. I apologise for not going to Sickbay."
After her scan, Cat said, "Not me you have to apologise to. I can give you another dose to lessen the concussion. But this is the last one, no more. As soon as Greer, AC and Ronni get back, I want you in Sickbay immediately. Am I understood, Ensign?"
Ryak was a little taken aback at the 'order' he had been given by Cat. The Caitian doctor had a reputation of being pretty easygoing. But he understood her frustration and anger. He had some of it himself, feeling almost useless with their friends in some strange other universe. "Yes Ma'am, I will."
"Good!" Cat turned to Lt Paran, "Lieutenant, As soon as it has been confirmed that the crew of the Kepler is safe and returning, I want him in Sickbay. Failing that, if he has to return to the brig, I want to be notified immediately."
"Yes Doctor."
Cat pulled out a vial and a hypo, loaded it and placed it against Ryak's neck. A small hiss came out as the anti-concussion medication was injected into Ryak's system. "Like I said before, it is temporary. I want you in Sickbay when this is all over."
"Thank you Doctor" thanked Ryak.
Cat turned to him, "If you really want to thank me, bring them home." Cat rubbed her eyes in an attempt to hide the small tears that began to well in her eyes. Not looking back she headed out.
***** Cat Quarters *****
She dumped her tricorder and First Aid Kit and the cupboard next to her bed. She layed back, with her arm covering her eyes she cried for a few minutes, Morpheus soon took her into his arms and she was asleep.
By: Stuart Clapperton
It had been a restless night, and Jack felt absolutely drained. His sleep had been erratic, with barely two hours sleep in total. He was still having nightmares about the horrific incident on Starbase Alpha, the incident that had cost him, his first promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade. It had been a year since the accident, and a while since his transfer to the Galaxy, but even though the whole thing was behind him, he still couldn't forget it. And it was starting to drive him insane.
Jack had given up counting how many times he had woken sweating profusely. Once again his eyes opened to the view of the grey ceiling of his quarters, dripping with sweat. He knew that he wouldn't get back to sleep again tonight, and so he got out of bed and stretched. If the sleepless nights continued, he would have to talk to a counselor about it.
"Lights 50%" Jack said to the computer. The lights increased from the ten Percent that they had been last night, illuminating the room. The room looked much like it had before Jack had tried to get to sleep the night before, apart from the five empty, and one half-empty glasses that sat on his side table. "Computer, how many times have I used the replicator in the last 24 hours?"
[You have accessed the replicator 34 times in the past 24 hour period.]
Jack cringed at the loudness, and harshness of the computer's voice. Jack was amazed at the number of times that he had used the replicator, but when he saw the glasses on the table, he worked out why. "Computer, Of the 34 replicator log entries, how many have been logged in the last 8 hours?"
[22 of them have been logged in the last 8 hours.]
"Sh*t" Jack shouted to the empty room, praying that no-one was outside could hear him. He was going to get a stern warning from Ops for the excessive usage, and he knew it. Perhaps a hot sonic shower might make him feel better.
Five minutes later Jack emerged from the small bathroom, slightly refreshed, but still feeling restless. 'A holodeck work-out would certainly do the trick' Jack thought to himself. Punching in his special access code, Jack opened the small cabinet, and pulled out a black box, with the initials R.A. written on the top in gold letters. It was his most prized possession, one which he wouldn't part with for anything. Putting on a track suit, and tucking the box under his arm, he started off towards the holodecks.
"Computer, load program Lawson-Delta-One!"
[Unable to comply, requested program no longer resides in my databanks.]
"Computer, explain!" Jack asked in an angry tone.
[Program Lawson-Delta-One was deleted on Stardate 498032.2]
"Who deleted it?" jack asked.
[Unknown. A terminal error occurred in the main computer core, followed by repeat errors in the secondary cores. This caused some of the stored holodeck programs to be deleted. They are unrecoverable.]
Jack stood there, in the black with yellow chequered lines of the holodeck. He raised his hand to scratch his head, trying to figure out what to do now. He had to do something, at least check if Engineering had been notified about the incident.
"Computer, has Engineering been notified of the current situation?"
[Engineering has been notified. The message was also sent to Operations.] The computer replied.
Jack walked out the door, and headed back to his quarters. He was dejected at the loss of his favourite work-out program. Hopefully he had a back-up on one of his isolinear chips in his quarters.
**** Later, Ten-Forward ****
Jack sat at one of the tables eating breakfast. He still had a few hours before his Alpha shift started, and he usually had his breakfast at this time. He had his usual morning meal of bacon, eggs, sausages, baked beans, toast and orange juice. While eating, he reviewed the information on his PADD, information that he had downloaded from the computer regarding the errors recorded during the previous night. Neither Ops nor Engineering had done anything about it so far, at least as far as he had seen.
Jack doubted that the incident with the computer cores was coincidental, he was more to the thinking that it was a direct systems hack by someone trying to cover something up, but who the hacker was, or what he was trying to cover up wasn't available at the moment. He would have to look into it. But for that he would need clearance from Lieutenant K'arta. He Reached up to tap his comm badge.
"Lawson to Lieutenant K'arta"
[K'arta here, what can I do for you Jack?] Her response was quick, causing Jack to think she was already awake.
"I hope I didn't wake you, but I need to talk to you as soon as possible."
[Not at all. I've been up for a while. How's Ten-Forward, 5 minutes?]
"Great, see you then!" Jack replied, cutting the channel afterwards.
Hopefully he would be allowed to investigate the matter, after all the security of the computer system did come under their jurisdiction as Security officers.
Lt.jg Jack Lawson
Deiran motioned to Ensign O'Hare, "Tell the Captain what you told me Ensign."
Ensign O'Hare glanced back surprised at the 'Commander's request. Swallowing quickly, he addressed the Captain. "We have been able to clean up the signal and amplify it enough to determine what it is sir. It appears to be the life signs of three members of the away team. The signal has degraded too much to determine exactly who's life signs sir, but we can see that it's two humans and one Delphinian." O'Hare explained.
Jon continued trying to clean the signal and amplify more. He quickly jumped around to the Aft Science Station and narrowed the bandwith on the incoming signal and remodulated the EM wavelengths to a various of .025 Khz. Jon accessed the medical database and retrieve the four data information of the away team, the had life sign specific's for each member. Jon quickly developed a small sub-routine to pole each of the 3 life signs received and compared them with the data contained in the superimposed compressed data packet being send on the transmission. Jon quickly boosted the transmission power by .022 Megawatts tapping into Auxiliary Computer Core power.
Jon utilized the Aft Science Station knowing that the computer upgrades to that system where just completed and that might proved to help assist them. He stare back at screen for results. While Jon was waiting for the scan results he thought about K'Eytyanna working on modifying the transporters to transport through the Fluidic properties of the Vortex.
While Jon tried to concentrate on the task at hand, he couldn't help but over hear Lieutenant Commander Casey speaking to the Captain in the command well.
"Sir, what if we modified relay beacons and put about ten or fifteen in a line with two to three being put inside the vortex? We use metaphasic shielding on the ones that go inside the vortex. We’ll have to time the transport before the beacons explode. To do that, we’ll have to make contact with the Kepler crew sir. I can have some of my Ops officers work with Science and Engineering to work on the beacons. I figure we put them in a line, once we have their patterns in the beacon, we can have them out of the vortex in microseconds. Their pattern should be steady as it moves along the relay beacons and we can get them out of the vortex and beam them aboard. Like I said its risky, but right now, unless someone else comes up with a better idea, it’s our best shot." Casey asked.
"Interesting idea 'mate." Captain Price replied, "But I think the vortex would be too violent of a place for the relay beacons. They would be thrown around in the swirling vortex severing the relayed signal. We'd probably loose their pattern before we ever got them back on the ship. The metaphasic shielding might keep the beacons together, but their small thruster engines would not be able to cope with the violent currents the vortex is generating I'm afraid 'mate."
Deiran gave a nod. "I see what you mean Captain. Still, there has got to be some way we can get through to the away team and transport them out of there! I'm sorry Captain. Guess I'm getting a little punchy."
Lee nodded, "You should rest 'mate. You've been at this for over 24 hours now. That's a lot, even for a Casey."
Deiran smiled weakly, "You are probably right Captain. But those are my friends out there and they are running out of time. I just want to do all that I can to help them."
Then a thought occurred to Jon, but just as he was getting ready to make his recommendation to the Captain his monitor started spitting out data. He was getting a return data stream from his last scan. Jon eyes opened wide and a smile formed on his face. As he turned toward the Captain and snapped "Captain, I think you might want to come check out this new batch of data received Sir, I have identified three life signs."
Price walked toward O'Hare and said "Let's hear it mate!" 'Commander Casey followed.
Jon continued "Sir, have detected the life signs of Lt Erikson, Lt Morrison and Lt Hewson."
The Captain walked up to the screen and saw the data being shown on the screen. Jon spoke again "That's not all Sir, I think I have a way that we can get them out of there."
Lee looked at the young Ensign knowing full well that he was a Computer Specialist and not a Transporter Specialist. "Well mate enlighten the rest of us on bridge on your idea, I am opened to all suggestions at this point."
Jon quickly stepped over to the Engineering Terminal where K'Eytyanna was sitting trying to figure a way to modify the transporters to cut through that fluidic properties of the Vortex. Jon said politely to K'Eytyanna "May I Lieutenant?"
K'Eytyanna nodded her head in agreement and watched along with the Captain and 'Commander Casey. Jon punched up a image of the vortex. "Now we know the Vortex is made up of a fluidic property which would not allow our transporter signal to travel through without being distorted." Jon had the attention of the whole bridge crew and continued, "Now if we remodulated our tractor beam to disburse a multiphasic stream of normal space and punch a hole through the Vortex, we could envelope the 3 life signs in a Multiphasic pocket of normal space, then we could superimpose the transporter signal on that connection and beam them aboard."
Jon looked from the screen to his captive audience and one Ensign from the back of crowd spoke up, "But how are we suppose to find the away teams coordinates to aim the beam, much less transport them?"
Jon smirked "I am glad you asked that Johnson, the same way I identified the life forms, we could tie in the transporters into the Aft Science Station and it can home in on the life signs" Jon turned and looked at Captain Price.
Lee stood there stroking his chin while contemplating the young Ensign's proposal, "How about it Lieutenant? Could the tractor beam be modified in this fashion as the Ensign suggests?"
Lieutenant Samara nodded her head doubtfully, "Well in theory, yes sir. But it would mean remodulating the whole tractor emitter network to handle the power of a multiphasic power stream large enough to reach the away team." she explained.
"That could take nearly a day to replicate the power couplings needed alone." Lieutenant Commander Casey explained, not liking the role of being the barer of bad news.
"That's too long." the Captain stated, "Erikson and the others have only got a little over 16 hours of oxygen left. What if we just tried sending the multiphasic beam through the tractor emitters as is?"
"We could scale down the level of the multiphasic beam, enough to prevent the tractor emitters from overloading, but at a greatly reduced range and width of the beam Captain. So small that I am afraid that it wouldn't be of any use." Lieutenant Samara explained, "The tractor beam emitters were designed with a specific purpose, sir. They aren't manufactured to handle outputting the levels of multiphasic power needed for this sort of thing."
"What about the main deflector array?" Casey asked, "It's designed to handle large bursts of power."
"Aye," K'Eytyanna agreed, "but not for sustained periods of time. It would require some modifications, but not nearly as complex as trying to do the same to the tractor beam array."
"How long Lieutenant?" Lee asked.
"I can probably have it configured in about four hours Captain. It will still require that the Galaxy enter the vortex as we did before to rescue the Breen, but if it works, we should be able to induce a multiphasic beam that will allow the transporter signal to lock onto the away team and beam them over. Assuming they are within range on the opposite side of the vortex." K'Eytyanna explained.
"Do it 'mate. Go contact Lieutenant Mercury and have him get to work on it." Captain Price ordered, "Good work Ensign." he said to O'Hare who listened closely. "'Commander Casey, you *should* get some rest 'mate."
Deiran nodded, "Aye sir. I should." turning, the Lieutenant Commander exited the bridge along with Lieutenant Samara knowing full well that sleep was the last thing on his mind.
By: "Ryak Sullax"
As Ryak stormed off to the bridge he remembered that he forgot to do something with the sensor array. Ryak turned around and headed back. While he was being escorted back to the bay Ryak had to be caught by his escorts as he almost passed out twice. Ryak was getting annoyed by their hopefulness. He needed a reason to hate them and he was beginning to lose all reason to.
Ryak returned to his spot at the array, opened his tricorder and started to work on his problem again. At this point his head was pounding very hard and he was having troubles seeing the tricorder.
Ryak didn't notice that Cat had finally arrived to his aid. Right before she could tell him that she was there his hands faltered and slipped, he shook his head to try and clear it.
"Ryak!" Cat opened her tricorder as he turned to face her. "Hold still for a few moments!"
"Thank you for coming Cat. I apologise for not going to Sick bay."
After her scan, Cat said, "Not me you have to apologise to. I can give you another dose to lessen the concussion. But this is the last one, no more. As soon as Greer, AC and Ronni get back, I want you in Sick bay immediately. Am I understood, Ensign?"
Ryak was a little taken aback at the 'order' he had been given by Cat. The Caitian doctor had a reputation of being pretty easy going. But he understood her frustration and anger. He had some of it himself, feeling almost useless with their friends in some strange other universe. "Yes Ma'am, I will."
"Good!" Cat turned to Lt Paran, "Lieutenant, As soon as it has been confirmed that the crew of the Kepler is safe and returning, I want him in Sick bay. Failing that, if he has to return to the brig, I want to be notified immediately."
"Yes Doctor."
Cat pulled out a vial and a hypo, loaded it and placed it against Ryak's neck. A small hiss came out as the anti-concussion medication was injected into Ryak's system. "Like I said before, it is temporary. I want you in Sick bay when this is all over."
"Thank you Doctor."
Cat turned to him, "If you really want to thank me, bring them home." Cat rubbed her eyes in an attempt to hide the small tears that began to well in her eyes. Not looking back she headed out.
Ryak watched her as she left. His head started clearing up almost instantly. He was unsure on how many people on this ship really cared about the away team. Ryak himself barely knew anybody on the Galaxy but was becoming more aware of the closeness of the crew. Ryak looked back at his tricorder. He noticed his error instantly and fixed it. Ryak packed up his things and headed (with his escorts of course) back to the bridge to find out what was going on.
Chris Gagne
By: RC Laven
"Violation, purify, hate, fear." Lieutenant Morris said, brooding over the words AC had screamed earlier. "I guess they're not a friendly bunch."
"I can't say I've ever felt that unwelcome before. I feel like a weed in someone's garden." Greer remarked. "I don't like it Ronni. We don't even know who or what we're dealing with. I also found ti unusual that they considered us the cause of the spatial anomaly."
"Maybe it was us." Ronni said cryptically. "I mean not necessary us, but what about the Breen? Remember I showed that holographic projection on the Holodeck. Perhaps they had something to do with the spatial anomaly."
"I doubt that the Breen or the Federation has the ability to cause a phenomenon on that or any magnitude." Greer rationalized.
"That's exactly what they said about warp travel Greer." Ronni remarked. "Do you think there is anyway we can block the link between AC and the source?"
"I don't know." Greer replied with a concerned expression. "I can't even tell how they're communicating with him let alone attempt to devise a way to block them out."
"Every time he goes through an 'attack' he rapidly consumes more of his oxygen supply. If they keep going he's going to run out of oxygen long before you or I do."
"How long?"
"Assuming they keep up the same amount of contact since it began . . . I'd say approximately eight hours."
Greer's face turned from concerned to troubled. "OK, this is what I want to do." he said as he shut off his comm link to AC. "At our current rate of oxygen consumption I have fifteen hours, you have thirteen and a half, and AC has eight. Right?"
"Approximately. Yes."
"I'm going to link my suit up between the two of you. I want you to empty out five hours of oxygen into your respective oxygen supplies."
The Delphinian's face changed to match Greer's already troubled facial expression. "I'm not going to do that Greer."
"That's my decision Ronni. AC is our only link to this species we know absolutely nothing about. It appears that Lieutenant Blair may have been correct in assuming the electrical blast that destroyed the Breen vessel was intelligently aimed. If so, this new species may pose a great threat to our universe."
"That's not the . . ."
"It's not a request Ronni." he said sternly. "If anyone needs to get back to the Galaxy it's the pair of you. I'm sure you can appreciate my . . ."
Before Erikson could begin to rationalize his decision, his tricorder began to flash wildly as an alarm that could be heard over the EVA comm system began to sound. Holding the tricorder closer to his face he began to scrutinize the data displayed on the tiny screen infront of his eyes.
"Ronni, AC." he said with an extreme sense of urgency. "We need to get out of here right now. I mean RIGHT NOW."
"What's going on?"
"That barrier . . . it's beginning to expand. If we don't move now it will collide with us in approximately ten minutes. Personally I would rather not find out if we could survive such an experience."
The three of them managed to start to move away. Ronni and Greer held onto AC who was still recovering from his latest telepathic episode with the mysterious species that inhabited this universe.
"It's gaining on us Greer." Ronni exclaimed. "Maybe if we can catch one of the currents we mapped out earlier. It might give us more speed."
"Agreed." the scientist replied.
Looking at the tricorder, they managed to fall into one of the many current in the fluidic pocket they found themselves in after the Kepler explosion. In a matter of moments, the region they had previously occupied was engulfed by the rapidly expanding solidic barrier. Suddenly the barrier stopped expanding and stabilized at its current position.
"What's going on?" AC said as he began to regain consciousness.
"Damn!" Greer said as he cursed the tricorder readings. "When the barrier hit the tricorder it was disintegrated. Our sonar beacon is no longer operational."
The news about the destruction of the sonar beacon was obviously not good for their optimism. It was the only way they could send a signal. Although it was a limited signal it was something. A period of several minuted silence fell over the three of them.
"Why did the barrier start moving all of a sudden? How did it move all of a sudden?" the Delphinian scientist began to ask as Lieutenant Erikson looked over the tricorder data.
"I'm not sure I can tell you Ronni." Greer replied. "They tricorder didn't get any readings until it began to expand. Prior to that there was no indication that it was going to move like that."
"AC, we need to know everything you saw in your visions." Greer said to the engineer. "No matter how insignificant you think they are."
By: e9226192@student.tuwien.ac.at (Joerg Sterner)
After he had consumed the glass of milk, Joerg returned into his bed and was thinking his dream over again. It was ridiculous to think that there was a fleet of Breen ships waiting for them, but in some way that dream reflected the current situation of the Galaxy.
Before they tried to rescue the Breen from their ship, Joerg had the strange feeling that there was something more going on than just a stranded ship. He even suspected that the Jem'Hadar had something to do with that ship's condition, perhaps even a trap for the Federation ship.
But then it just turned out that it was the way it seemed and Joerg's fears were partly destroyed. In his mind however he still had those fears when he was going to bed, and thus lead to his strange dream. While he analysed his situation he soon became very sleepy again and soon thereafter he was asleep.
************** Later, near the beginning of Alpha shift **************
Totally relaxed and refreshed Joerg woke up. He stood up and entered his daily morning routine, which included breakfast and a shower. While in his daily routine, he was relieved that obviously nothing seriously had happened during the night, since he hadn't been contacted. After he had nearly finished with the morning ceremony, at the end he stood before the mirror to straighten his uniform before leaving his quarters.
On his way to the bridge he checked a PADD he had brought with him last night. It contained some information about Lieutenant K'arta's attempts to increase the efficiency of the security personal Joerg had ordered her to do.
Finally he arrived at the bridge and was greeted by the bridge personal, that were currently on duty. Captain Price turned his head to see who had entered the bridge and also greeted his First Officer.
Joerg returned the greet and approached his seat beside the Captain's. Then he was quickly informed of the current situation and the plans for the current shift. He was at first shocked that the shuttle had exploded, but then relieved to hear that there was a chance that the away team was still alive.
After that Lieutenant Commander Casey returned to the bridge to present a way of trying to communicate with the stranded away team. Both the Captain and Joerg listened closely and after Casey had finished to present the idea, they waited for the Captain's opinion.
By: Price
Looking across a familiar star studded universe, a small Starship is seen. Getting closer, it can be made out as a Galaxy class vessel. Not only is it a Galaxy class, but this happens to be the Galaxy herself. Beyond the stationary Starship, a multicolored swirling mass of fluidic energy that spirals around a central singularity causing a mighty vortex funnel to fill the surrounding space.
Moving beyond the Federation Starship at the maul of this vortex, we pass into the heart of the churning phenomenon. Slowly at first, but rapidly accelerating until we pass through the narrowing event horizon at the focal point of the singularity, punching our way into a fluid like region, burnt orange in color. Eddies and currents can be seen as we continue our journey until three small dots come into focus. They soon grow in size as we approach, until they are no longer are mealy tiny specs in the distance, but are recognized as the surviving members of the away team mission.
Taking a spiral course around the space suited survivors of the Kepler shuttle, we see that they are struggling to get away from something. Thrashing in the fluidic substance that surrounds them trying to catch one of the random currents common to this region and ride it away.
"AC, we need to know everything you saw in your visions." Greer said to Hewson placing his hands on either side of AC's helmet, "No matter how insignificant you think they are."
AC looked back into Greer's eyes. A reluctant, almost terrified look forming in his face as his pupils dilated and he appeared to grow frightened. "It was unlike anything I have ever experienced. It was like I was no longer here, I was some place else... only I was still here at the same time..." Lieutenant Hewson began but then suddenly started to panic, "Oh my God! It's happening again! Greer! Help me! HELP ME! Noooooooooo!"
We see Hewson's eyes widen, exposing the blood shot whites of his sockets which contrasts sharply with his opening iris that nearly replaces the entire colored portion of his eyes. Pulling in tightly, we look deep into the Engineers eyes, into one of his opening pupils and beyond....
Rushing past the three Federation survivors, through the fluidic region of space they occupy, we come to an expanding, more dense area of solidifying matter. Dark brown in color, it is steadily growing... moving towards the area that the Kepler survivors are occupying. Passing through the solidifying wall of fluidic matter, we pass crushed pieces of debris. A smashed tricorder that was broadcasting three life sign signals, the outer casings of several Federation Probes, and finally, the ruptured metal fragments of what was once the USS Kepler.
Passing through hundreds of thousands of kilometers of the darkening solidic barrier, we finally reach the other side and once again emerge into a familiar burnt orange universe filled with fluidic space.
Continuing on for just a short distance further, we see a single biologically constructed space craft screaming through fluidic space, sending ripples through the area in it's wake to quickly reach it's destination.
Following the ship, we see it join six other ships of the same design flying in formation. It quickly joins the other ships before powering up it's mighty weapon. The other ships do the same and their energy beams merge forming a circle about them before directing the entire sum of their energy to the center vessel that emits a deadly blast.
The beam strikes out and hits a region of fluidic space, burning it. Solidifying it as a laser would cauterize an open wound. The darkening, congealing burnt orange of fluidic matter changes to a solidic mass of brown. Slowly growing as the aliens meticulously work to seal the breach between their universe and our own.
On board one of the outer vessels, we enter to find dozens of strange looking creatures. Huge in size, with long, lanky arms and legs. A huge cranium area, and eyes that contain a quadriattic pupil. One quickly turns, looking directly at us. Looking deep into it's alien eyes, we can see the small ghosted image of Lieutenant Hewson, shaking out of terror. Evilly, the Alien grins before turning to one of the others.
"Disease is weakening. It knows the end is near."
The other alien bobs it's head ever so slightly, "The sterilization process is progressing. This rupture should be sealed soon. Then we can purify the filth that it contains. Come, stop playing with your bugs and help us to finish the task at hand."
"As you wish." The alien agreed, blinking it's eye slowly and allowing the image of AC to fade from it's mind.
*****
"He's gone into synoptic shock." Greer called out while grabbing the handles to AC's Environmental suit and shaking him violently, "Snap out of it AC!"
"His blood pressure is through the roof, and he's hyperventilating." Ronni diagnosed reaching for his EVA controls, "I'm going to reduce the temperature and O2 content. What he really needs is a sedative."
Lieutenant Erikson held on tightly to Lieutenant Hewson as he thrashed around violently, screaming at the images that flooded his mind. While Greer's arms grew weak from holding the adrenaline filled AC, Lieutenant Morris managed to adjust Hewson's suit controls to drop the temperature and decrease the Oxygen content. For nearly a minute this went on until, just as suddenly as it started, AC stopped, dropping down into an exhausted heap.
"He seems to be stabilizing..." Ronni noted while checking AC's suit monitor.
"We need to get out of here Ronni. We need to get out of here right now." Greer said solemnly. A slight sense of the inevitable seeping into his tone.
Glancing around, in the extreme distance, Ronni could see the expanding darkness of the solidic barrier as it pushed closer to their present position. Looking back to Greer, she nodded. "Let's try to swim and catch another current. I'll take AC until he's able to swim for himself."
Lieutenant Erikson gave Ronni a nod. He wasn't going to presume to be a better swimmer than the part Delphinian, however being in full EVA suits certainly balanced the differences between their species. "Let's get started. We need to get farther away from that expanding solidic barrier and closer to the entry point of the singularity if we are going to give the Galaxy any sort of a chance at rescuing us." Greer explained.
Ronni nodded, "If they continue to look. With the tricorder destroyed, we are no longer sending our life signs back through the vortex. They may think that we all died."
Greer shook his head. "I don't think so. I know the Captain and he's not the sort to give up on his crew when there is still hope. We still have time."
"Then let's get going. That barrier is still expanding steadily. At this rate, it will consume this region in less than an hour." Lieutenant Morris explained throwing AC's arm over her shoulder and preparing to help him along.
"Then let's get moving Lieutenant." Erikson finally ordered as the three of them struggled to move away from the solidic barrier that threatened to consume them and closer to the singularity entry point of the vortex from whence they originally came in the shuttle Kepler.
By: Stephanie
As Chanor left, Neg’Puj started going over the last byte of the program. ’ Yup, everything looks fine. She started the program and started to enter, "Wait…"
"Ensign Neg’Puj to Ensign Chen." She waited.
Chen was lying in bed when the chirp of his comm badge went off. Someone, Chen wasn’t sure who, identified themselves. Chen muttered a curse to where he left his badge on the night stand. After looking around, he found his badge. Underneath his pillow. He rolled into the pillow and tapped the front of the comm badge.
"Chen here," came a muffled voice.
She smiled. "I hope I didn’t wake you."
It was Neg’Puj, an old friend from the academy and room mate. When he had received his demotion, he had taken a few extra classes at Starfleet Academy to catch up on some things. While he was there, he met Cadet Neg’Puj and the two became friends. A few days ago, the two were assigned the same room.
Chen looked at a nearby clock. "No, no. It’s only three in the morning," he snapped.
"Really? Whatever, just get up to holodeck one. I’ve got a program you have to try out."
Chen looked at the ceiling. "Okay. I’ll be right there. Chen out." Chen took a deep breath and pulled himself out of bed. "This had better be good," he muttered. He showered, dressed in his uniform and headed down to holodeck one. When he walked in, he saw Neg’Puj standing in the middle of the room. "Jamie," he hated that name. "How good of you to join me."
Chen waved off the remark. "No problem. What do you need?" Neg’Puj smiled one of those smiles of hers. Chen was afraid. "You’re going to love this," she said and called up the program.
"What is it?"
"It’s a program I’ve been working on for the last two hours."
Chen shook his head. "Don’t you ever sleep?"
"Yeah. On the bridge. Anyway, this a hand-to-hand combat scenario involving the Jem’Hadar. Basically they board the ship and we have to fight them off. You know. The basics. You wouldn’t have to carry any other weapons besides a phaser, would you?"
Chen shrugged. "I’m proficient with a katana. What about you?"
"I carry a batleth under my belt and a dagger in my boot. You want me to call you up a weapon?"
Chen shook his head. "No thanks. I can handle it. Computer, replicate weapon Chen001 and 002." On the floor next to Chen, a long, curved sword and a shorter version of the katana appeared. Chen picked it up and buckled it on his hip. Neg’Puj could see by the way Chen handled it that it was a delicately balanced weapon. "Nice," she said. "What’s the design based on?"
"My own sword. I made it myself last year."
"Incredible. You ready to start?"
"Sure."
Neg’Puj smiled and started the program. "Okay. First we fight on the bridge, then if we win, we move to engineering." The room shimmered into a complete replica of the bridge, along with replicas of Captain Price and Commander Sterner.
The red alert klaxon sounded and Chen and Neg’Puj awaited the boarding party. The bridge shook as they received blows from the Dominion warships. Suddenly, six Jem’Hadar warriors appeared on the bridge. Chen moved fast as the warriors attacked. He slashed at the first one with his katana while Neg ’Puj fought two others off with her batleth. She stabbed the first one quickly, putting him down, while the other, a more experienced fighter, gave her some trouble. Chen attacked the first Jem’Hadar he was fighting, slashing again. The warrior jumped back and kicked out. Chen ducked under the blow and then leaped into the air, connecting solidly with his blow. The warrior stumbled back and Chen cut the warrior’s left leg off at the knee. Chen glanced back towards Neg’Puj. She was smiling wide as her Jem’Hadar warrior fought.
Chen jumped down to the lower level to help Captain Price with the one he was grappling with. Chen and Captain Price put the warrior down in record time. Just as they finished, Neg’Puj disposed of her opponent, slicing his throat with her dagger. Then the two of them readily took care of the other two left on the bridge.
Neg’Puj laughed as the last one fell. "You know, I’ve always said you’d make a good Klingon, James."
Chen laughed with her as Captain Price ran up. "You both need to get down to Engineering, the Jem’Hadar have nearly taken control. Hurry, ‘mates."
Chen sighed as he ran into the turbolift. He wouldn’t be getting sleep after this. "So what do you think of the program so far?"
Chen shrugged. "It’s incredible. Though I don’t know if this is how I’d prefer to spend my off hours."
The turbolift suddenly jerked and froze. "What was that?" Chen asked.
Neg’Puj smiled. "Just a turbolift malfunction. I thought it would make things more exciting." She kneeled down and opened the access panel.
"So we’re trapped in here?"
The doors slid open. "No. We just have to climb down the last few decks." She pointed to the cables underneath the turbolift. "Use those." She dropped off the edge and Chen felt the turbolift jerk as she grabbed on. "Be careful of rope burn," she called.
Chen shook his head. If anything, this was a different experience. He dropped off the edge of the turbolift, following Neg’Puj’s lead. As they climbed, Chen muttered under his breath about the rope burn. These cables weren’t exactly normal rope he had been climbing for his Gong Rei training. Neg’Puj, on the other hand, was loving every second of it.
Neg’Puj called up. "I haven’t had this much fun since my Day of Honor! We only have about two more decks to go."
Chen muttered. "Just two more? Damn, I was actually enjoying this," he said sarcastically. Normally, this wouldn’t have bothered him so much, but he didn’t like being woke up and having to do this type of thing. They reached the engineering door and Neg’Puj started to fire her phaser at it, cutting a hole. "I didn’t think we could use phasers," Chen said. Neg’Puj looked up. "Not in combat. But for situations like this." Chen pulled his and began firing at the door too.
Finally, they cut through the door and Neg’Puj kicked the hole out and swung in. As she hit the ground, two Jem’Hadar warriors tackled her, knocking her into the wall. Chen swung down and caught the one nearest him with a drop kick. The warrior went down. Neg’Puj kneed hers in the gut and brought her elbow down on the back of his head when he doubled over, knocking him cold. In the meantime, Chen was handling the one he had attacked first. The warrior kicked at him and Chen dropped to the ground and in one fluid motion, he swept the warrior’s feet out from under him. Chen jumped up and straddled the warrior, punching him twice in the face, sending him into oblivion.
Neg’Puj had just snapped another one’s neck when two flanked her on either side. Before she could react, a third grabbed her from behind and held a dagger at her throat. "Surrender," he said to Chen. "Or she dies." Neg’Puj gave an annoyed expression and rammed her head back, breaking his nose. The Jem’Hadar stumbled back in pain and Neg’Puj kicked him in the chest, still facing Chen. The other two moved but Chen was already in the air. He kicked out with both legs, catching each warrior in the face with each foot. He landed in front of Neg’Puj as the Jem’Hadar warriors went down.
Neg’Puj nodded approvingly. "You’ve improved since the academy."
Chen smiled. "I do what I can."
Neg’Puj smiled back. "Come on. We’ve got to recapture Engineering." She strode off confidently, just like a Klingon. Chen followed warily behind, looking for traps.
Engineers David Mercury and Alan Hewson were busy trying to fix the malfunction caused by the Jem’Hadar attack and fight off other attackers at the same time. Other holopersonnel were there too. Ursa Sunder, Jack Lawson and Paran Chanor were fighting them off in hand-to-hand combat.
"How many Jem’Hadar are there?" Chen asked.
"About thirty got on board, I believe. Although the Galaxy has probably already destroyed the Dominion warships that attacked us." She crouched behind a computer terminal. "Now, the question is, how do we get rid of them?"
"Beats me. I guess we just have to fight them off one at a time," Chen said.
Neg’Puj shook her head. "There’s got to be a better way."
Chen shrugged. He got up suddenly and waded into a group of three Jem’Hadar that had appeared. Neg’Puj smiled. He’s getting more and more like a Klingon. He actually seemed to be enjoying this simulation now.
Neg’Puj thought for a minute longer and realized that something was wrong with the program, not her. "Computer, end program."
Chen was punching at a Jem’Hadar when he disappeared. Chen spun around. "What was that for?"
"I was thinking. We can’t just fight them like idiots. We need a strategy. Some option the program can give us so that there’s a better way to win." She started pacing. "Now, let me see…"
Chen shook his head, frustrated that he had to quit the simulation. He also knew it would be hours before Neg’Puj completed the simulation. "Listen, I need to get some sleep. Today was my day off from Gamma shift and I’d like to make it a day off. Why don’t you sleep on it?"
"But I don’t have bridge duty for six hours." Chen wasn’t sure if that was a joke or not. It still disturbed him. "Besides, how can I sleep with this problem hanging over my head?"
"Because us Non-Klingons need rest. Call me when you figure out what to do."
Neg’Puj laughed. She had always liked Jamie when he was frustrated or angry. Made him even more Klingon. Unfortunately, those little outbursts weren’t common. "Fine, fine. What time is it, anyway? Computer?"
"The time is 0415 hours."
Neg’Puj sighed. "I have a meeting with counselor in three hours. I guess I could use a little shut-eye, too."
Chen smiled. "Okay, then Let’s go. We’ll finish this later."
By: "Dianne Heppel"
A few days ago this changed. The USS Galaxy recieved a distress call from a Breen ship. It appeared to be caught in some kind of Fluidic Vortex. The Breen Ship was destroyed but they managed to beam some of it's crew on to the Galaxy. Alyssa couldn't make heads or tails out of the Data the ships sensors recorded while it was inside the Gravitational pull of the Vortex. Then Captain Price sent a shuttle into the Vortex. Shortly after the Shuttle entered the Vortex it suffered a Warp Core Breach. It is possible that some of the Crew is alive. Her surperior officer Lt. Erickson was aboard that shuttle
(Bridge to Ensign Idana) (Ensign Idana here) (We are recieving some kind of sonar transmission from the vortex please come to the bridge and help us clean the signal up) (I'm on my way, Idana out) She then walked out of her quarters and into the Turbolift. "Bridge" said Enisgn Idana.
Ensign Idana then spent hours trying to clean up the signal. They finaly found out it was the life signs of three of the away team members.
The tubolift opened onto the bridge of the premier Galaxy Class Starship. Captain Price and the young Betazoid boy, Colby stepped out. Colby had been on the bridge before with Counselor Salshyar before Dev had to leave the Galaxy, but this was the first time he'd ever been the Captain's guest on the ship's most important deck.
"Captain. Welcome back sir." Deiran greeted in his typical top brass tone, "And I see you have a new recruit with you. Shall I place him at the helm sir?" Lieutenant Commander Casey joked. Alyssa then had to fight back a giggle.
Colby's eyes widened in excitement as he looked at the Captain. Lee shook his head in the negative. "No 'mate." He said quickly, but then seeing Colby's disappointment added, "Ambassador Colby here has come to observe and evaluate the effectiveness of the coming shift change 'Commander. I expect everything to be in top order for the Ambassador. So make sure all of your people look sharp 'mate."
Casey straightened as if Admiralty had just stepped onto the bridge. To add effect, Deiran quickly snapped a military style salute to the young boy who seemed to enjoy the attention he was receiving. "Yes sir. if there is anything I can do Mister Ambassador, please let me know sir." Deiran said, clicking his heals together.
The 'Commander just stood there with his hand to his head, perfectly straight. Colby giggled slightly but after a few moments wondered what was going on. This 'Commander wasn't saying or doing anything other than standing there in a full attention salute. Confused Colby glanced at Captain Price. Lee gave a small grin and made a motion with his own hand indicating that Colby needed to salute back. The boy quickly caught on, standing upright and snapping his own salute back. Deiran smiled.
"As you were 'Commander. Now, what have we found out about these transmissions?" Price asked as the three of them began walking over to the science stations where Idana, Rodley and O'Hare were all working on cleaning up the low power signal they had received while Engineering was reconfiguring the ship's sensors to act as a 'sonar' like receptor / emitter.
"We have been able to clean up the signal and amplify it enoughto determine what it is sir. It appears to be the life signs of three members of the away team. The signal has degraded too much to determine who's life signs sir, but we can see that it's two human and one Delphinian" said Ensign O'Hare. "So most of them managed to get off the shuttle" said Captain Price.Turning, Lee glanced at Ensign Idana, "Ensign, how much time does the away team have oxygen wise, given the fluidic nature of the environment beyond the vortex?"
The Trill tapped a control punching up Ensign Sullax's program that had a digital count down running based on his earlier calculations. "According to this Captain, 16 hours, possibly less." Idana explained.
Captain Price nodded and turned back to face Lieutenant Commander Casey. Colby seemed content to walk around the bridge and closely 'examine' each station in his role as "Ambassador". He was holding his hands behind his back and walking around as dignified as he could, just as he'd seen other Ambassadors when he visited the Galaxy.
"'Commander, any word from Engineering on when we will have the emitters online and ready to transmit a message back to the Away team to let them know we got their signal?" Price asked.
"Lieutenant Samara and Lieutenant' Grump are working on it now sir. It should be ready soon." Casey explained.
"Good. When it is, transmit a signal back into the vortex to let our 'mates know we are working on a solution to get them out of there." Captain Price started, "Next, I think we should work on a way to allow our transporters to penetrate this 'fluidic space' so we have a way to extract the away team."
"Captain, even if we were to allow for the thickness of the fluidic matter and compensate for it, we still would not be able to get a transporter signal through the vortex with any hopes of retrieving it from this distance." Deiran explained.
"Aye 'Commander. We'd have to take the Galaxy into the vortex. I know. But we did that before when we rescued the Breen survivors, so we know that can be done." The Captain explained.
"But sir..." Deiran continued his thought, "the Breen were on THIS side of the singularity. Erikson and the others are on the opposite side."
"That's why we need to modify the transporter Deiran. I'm not willing to take the Galaxy through the vortex, even now that we know there are survivors. It's too risky to the ship 'mate. I have over a thousand other lives to think about besides the away team." Captain Price explained sadly.
Casey nodded. He understood the decision. Those were not only the Captain's officers out there, they were also his friends. It was tough giving the order that could condemn them to death. Deiran knew that all too well. They were his friends too. And so long
as he had anything to say about it, he was going to find a way to save them without jeopardizing the ship. "I understand Captain." Deiran nodded.
"I'll relieve you here 'Commander. I want you to get down to Engineering and see how Samara is progressing. Then let her know that we have less than 16 hours to find a way to modify the transporters or the survivors of the Kepler are going to die from asphyxiation..." Lee ordered.
"Will do Captain." Casey replied while glancing over Lee's shoulder at 'Ambassador Colby' who was examining the Operation's console and imitating a 'white glove test'. Deiran smiled and nodded over to the boy causing the Captain to look as he spoke, "What do you plan on doing with the boy sir?"
Lee shook his head unknowingly. "I guess I'll keep him here for now. Everyone is busy trying to rescue the Kepler crew at the moment. I don't want to leave him in my cabin alone again."
"If you like sir, I can contact Miran and see if she'll watch over the boy. She'd probably enjoy the company." Deiran suggested.
Lee turned around and faced Deiran, "That would be great 'mate,... if you are sure Miran wouldn't mind. I need to concentrate on the situation at hand I'm afraid. I'd hate to see the boy get short changed because of my duties as Captain of the ship."
"I'll ask her Captain, but if I know Miran, she'll jump at the chance to have some company. Lara is nice, but she's just a baby. Miran misses having someone to talk to I think."
"Okay. Thank you Deiran. That would be quite an aid 'mate." Lee thanked.
"I'll let Miran know on my way to Engineering sir. Don't worry Captain, we will figure out a way to get Greer and company home. I guarantee it!" Casey smiled before turning to exit the bridge.
"I hope so 'Commander." Lee said quietly, but in a more hopeful tone than he'd had just the evening before, "I hope so."
They thought about modifying the Tractor Emitters with Metaphasic properties but decieded that would take to long. They then decieded they could modify the Main deflector dish to do the same thing that they wanted the Tractor Emitters to do.
By: Kristi
"Miran, the Captain has a favor to ask of you," Deiran began.
"Really? What does the Captain need?" she asked. She was a little surprised. Not many people thought of her now that she had resigned her commission.
"Well, you know Colby Torwyn? Counselor Salshyar's child. The Captain was wondering if you could watch Colby for awhile. I have some work to do for a couple of hours. And then I'll be back. The Captain really needs your help with Colby. He's on the Bridge acting as Ambassador.Let the Captain know okay honey, I have to get to Engineering. Pray for Greer and Ronni. I'm on my way to Engineering, I need to save them, I have to get them back Miran. I want to spend some time with you today okay?"
Deiran moved close to Miran and gave her a long, passionate kiss on the lips, embracing her close to him. "I love you," he said in her ear.
Just once Miran wished he would stay with them. His shift was over and she wanted to be able to be with him. She wanted Ronni and Greer back, but she wanted to be held by him once again.
Miran was scared for her friend. She didn't know what she would do without Ronni. She laid Lara in the Playpen and moved over to the glass Teddy Bear that Ronni had given her when Lara was born. She hoped her friend came back.
She sent a message to the Captain saying that she would "watch" Colby. It would be interesting. She didn't know the boy and really didn't know what she should do.
Now she would have to wait for Colby to arrive.
By: "Lt. Tebrianne"
***
Tebrianne stepped onto the bridge, her new look drawing the attention of her fellow crewmates. They were no doubt used to her colorful hairstyles. She walked over to her station and took her place at the helm. She was in mourning. Her two closest friends on the ship were dead, and coloring her hair black was her way of dealing with it. If people couldn't handle it, that was their rotten luck. She stifled a yawn as she initiated a level 1 diagnostic on the helm console. She waited as the computer cycled through the routine and gave her a cheerful chirp indicating its completion.
"What have you got to be so bloody cheerful about," she said to her station. As she expected, it did not answer her. "Bloody machine."
She noticed the captain and a young boy step onto the bridge. The little chap looked like he was either eight or nine years old. That must be the former counselor's boy, she thought. Colby, if she remembered correctly.
Teb watched in amusement as 'Commander Casey snapped to attention and saluted the boy. She couldn't help smiling.
"As you were 'Commander," Captain Price said. "Now, what have we found out about these transmissions?" the captain asked as 'Commander Casey and Captain Price, with Colby in tow, stepped over to the science stations.
'Commander Casey motioned to one of the ensigns at the science station, and said, "Tell the Captain what you told me Ensign."
The ensign looked surprised at Casey's request. "We have been able to clean up the signal," he said, "and amplify it enough to determine what it is sir. It appears to be the life signs of three members of the away team. The signal has degraded too much to determine exactly who's life signs sir, but we can see that it's two humans and one Delphinian."
Captain Price nodded and said, "Okay, then we know that at least most of them were able to make it out of the shuttle." He turned to the other ensign, a Trill, and said, "Ensign, how much time does the away team have oxygen wise, given the fluidic--"
The rest of what the captain and science officer said never registered in Tebrianne's mind. It was racing lightyears a minute as she realized what they were saying.
Oh my god, Tebrianne thought. They're alive. Greer and AC are alive. They're alive!!
It took all of Tebrianne's concentration to keep her from jumping out of her seat and dancing for joy. Her friends were still alive--still alive after she had dyed her hair black. They would have a lot of explaining to do when they returned. It didn't matter. They would be returning and that's all that mattered. They were alive. Her mates were still alive and they would be back soon.
Tebrianne felt guilty for her flash of anger at having changed her hair color for them, and then finding out they weren't even dead. It didn't matter. She could just dye it again, even though it had been just right before...
Without realizing it, she had started whistling as she made another correction in the navigational controls. Tebrianne looked up and noticed Dieren looking at her. She stopped whistling and turned her attention back to the helm. Teb felt her neck getting warm and her cheeks flushing.
Crikey, she thought. Keep it steady, Teb.
Tebrianne leaned back in her seat and watched the vortex swirling on the viewscreen.
"We're coming, Greer," she said softly. "Just hang on for a little longer. You'd better bloody hang on."
Lt. Tebrianne, USS Galaxy, Chief Helmsman
By: john.kirk@cadresource.com (John Kirk)
It was easier to do back on Outpost 77. Everything was so centralized that Sunder could check on most locations by simply walking the rotunda on the main promenade level. Most starships weren't equipped with a promenade, forcing Sunder to walk a forced march to simply get to his destination on time. Still, he enjoyed long walks and incorporating a favourite pastime into his job made his work more pleasurable.
After checking in with station on Deck Eight he passed through one of the crew quarters corridors. On one of the doors was marked 'Felicia Kahtroweena, Lt. jg'. He noticed that Cat wasn't looking too happy in Ten-Forward the other night but hadn't had the opportunity to stop by.
" What the hell... , he said to himself as he pressed the door signal.
By: EMW
Stepping out of the sonic shower, K'arta wrapped herself in a warm bathrobe and made her way to the replicator. After speaking a few gravelly words to the machine, a cup of black coffee appeared. She took the steaming mug and sank into her couch. The Klingon yawned again, she was having trouble waking up and getting moving this morning. The smell of the coffee was starting to wake her dulled senses. After a few sips of the strong brew, she was able to keep her eyes open for longer than 30 seconds. By the time half the cup was empty, she was almost ready to get dressed.
The past few nights had been terrible for K'arta. She'd been pulling a double shift to deal alternately with the Breen and the Sullax situation. Starfleet Intelligence hadn't been much help to her in that situation and she was beginning to get rather peeved at their bureaucracy. S.I.'s recent attempts to contact her on the matter were met with blunt refusals. She didn't have time or energy to deal with them with the Breen presence aboard the ship also.
K'arta was beginning to pull on her uniform when her combadge blipped. [Lawson to Lieutenant K'arta.] came the request.
"K'arta here. What can I do for you jack?" she responded quickly, surprised that he was up this early too.
[I hope I didn't wake you, but I need to talk to you as soon as possible.] Lawson replied.
"Not at all. I've been up for a while. How's Ten-Forward, 5 minutes?" K'arta's curiosity was piqued.
[Great! See you then.] Jack cut the channel.
K'arta finished dressing quickly, pulling her long hair back into a ponytail at the base of her neck. The door slid shut behind her as she made her way to Ten-Forward. She arrived a few minutes before Jack and ordered breakfast. Halfway through her scrambled eggs, as she was destroying a second slice of toast Lawson arrived. A waiter promptly approached to take his order. As the young man walked away, K'arta turned to Jack.
"What do you need to talk about?" she asked point blank. She was getting tired of beating around the bush and taking round-about ways to approach a subject, another reason she didn't want to deal with S.I. any more. The direct approach was usually the easiest to deal with.
By: "Daniel Woodward"
*** Transporter Room 2 ***
"Snacks!" "This thing is Toast!", exclaimed Endris. The pile of mangled transport containers was growing faster than Tribbles could breed. Several hours of using different experimental techniques had produced no promising results, but left the transporter room looking like an avant guard art gallery. Angela Dana looked up from beneath a console and added a few untranslatable Deltan obscenities, as she paused to wipe the film of sweat off her brow.
Ensign Soleri, the Andorian scientist, bent over the shrapnel, trying to discern a fault tolerance pattern that might lead to a method of shielding. Things were not going well. It was like a feast with burnt veggies, the meal may be okay, but just plan unacceptable due to the lack of variety.
Angela attempted to oscillate the Heisenberg compensators in tune with the sonar amplitudes the bridge used earlier to locate the Keplar's survivors. Unfortunately, the Deltan woman dropped a sonic wrench on her chest. Grabbing a medical tricorder she had brought in case they successfully rescued the away team, Gakor went to work repairing the damage. The tricorder showed an elevated level of phermones. Deltan's glandular systems were known to produce these in large amounts, but the quantities now indicated hinted at an imbalance not previously seen in the medical data base.
*Great*, thought the Tellarite. Now we have a new mystery to solve, as well as a missing away team. Communicating with Sick bay, a pair of orderlies arrived to take her to the main medical facility. With a previously unknown diagnosis, Endris did not want to risk Dana's safety with an emergency beaming. Within minutes, both the Doctor and her new patient were in Sick Bay.
*** Sick Bay ***
Gakor poised over a bio bed, subjecting the Deltan to a comprehensive array of tests. She discovered the engineer's brain wave activity was spiking at higher than normal levels. The immunologist injected Angela with a thought-inhibiting drug, and her respiration rate dropped a tad. The pheremone levels also decreased about 2%.
Even with this small fraction of improvement, the Deltan threatened to become a bio chemical factory that could churn out enough toxins to put the whole ship at risk. And given Deltan's renowned sex drive, the males on the ship were bound to be the first effected! Unfortunately, this meant the Captain and other senior officers might succumb to the problem before the med staff could cure it. Gakor engauged priority isolation protocols, hoping the filters would block the spread of Dana's chemical perfume.
Knowing time was of the essence, Endris ordered the computer to alert the entire medical staff. Then, she returned to searching for a remedy for this newest affliction....
By: RC Laven
The solidic barrier had stopped for a little while. Almost as suddenly as it ended, the massive wall began to push laboriously through the fluidic matter once again, indiscriminately colliding with any object in its path. Lieutenants Erikson, Hewson, and Morris continued to ride the stretch of currents throughout the liquid-like matter, in the hope that they could quicken their pace away from the barrier.
It had been one and a half hours since Alan Hewson had experienced his last contact with the aliens which continued to invade his mind. All they could hope was that some distance between Lieutenant Hewson and the source of the solidic barrier may help, however, there was no way they could be certain. Greer looked at the systems panel on his EVA suit. The tiny display read just over three and a half more hours of oxygen left before his suit became uninhabitable. To avoid upsetting Ronni or alerting AC to what was going on, he switched of the readout.
"As long as we stay in this current," Ronni said as Greer covered up the panel with his hand, "we should be taken within ten kilometers of our original point of entry." Ronni noticed his hand but tried her best not to draw attention to the fact she saw it.
"You know Ronni," Lieutenant Erikson began, "I'm starting to even wonder whether or not the species AC was seeing even exists."
"Why not? AC said he saw more than one individual and it wasn't a species yet encountered by the Federation to my knowledge."
"True. It's like nothing I've ever heard of either." Erikson said in agreement. "I mean the more I think about it, the less I'm convinced about the whole situation. Who's to say that the species AC saw wasn't their concept of something tangible for our minds to grasp?"
"Or perhaps even an image they wanted us to see."
"Exactly my point and we have no way of being certain. We're not dealing with scientific principles or methods. The mind is a mysterious and yet misunderstood organ in the humanoid body, yet it is our only link to this alien lifeform or lifeforms. The tricorders don't detect anything that could really help us either."
"No control situations, nothing we can manipulate, and no certainty that what AC's envisaging is accurate." Morris added. "I understand what you mean. As a scientist we spend our lives proposing a question and then testing that question."
"We look for the factual, something we can prove or disprove, usually something quite tangible. When we don't find exactly what we are looking for we pose a new question and start the process all over again until we do find an answer. In this situation I don't know what question to ask."
"I guess we just have to trust what AC sees. He certainly does."
"That's one of the reasons I've kept the comm link closed for now." Greer explained. "I don't want to risk relaying anything that might place us in more danger. If he can receive messages from them, who's to say that it can't work in the opposite orientation. The situation is bad enough as it is and I don't want to risk it right now."
"You don't think they expanded the barrier because they knew about the beacon."
"Perhaps. Either that or they finally decided to take notice that we were present. If they were capable of detecting the sonar beacon they may have chose to use the solidic barrier to destroy it."
"That doesn't make sense since it is still expanding." Ronni said.
"Alright then," Greer said after thinking for a few moments, "let's assume that what AC is seeing is an accurate, or reasonably accurate, impression of these aliens."
"Considering we can't go by anything else I guess that could be a reasonable assessment." Ronni stated.
"Now consider the words that he has been using." Greer said.
"Violation . . . purify . . . hate . . . fear." Ronni recalled. "These are definitely powerful words. Violation usually involves something invasive. Purify is the need to clean. Hate and fear are usually associated with terror."
"Or perhaps stimuli that a biological organism wants to avoid. If we can assume these words were correctly chosen, I think that we have a bigger problem than we first thought. Think about it Ronni," Greer said, "the alien species . . . they all seem to be focused on the vortex."
"I'm not sure I follow you." Ronni said as she frowned a little.
'The vortex is the only link between our space, normal space, and this fluidic space. The solidic barrier is moving towards the vortex, tightening this region of space between the barrier and the vortex. In his last encounter, AC said that the aliens claimed that a disease is weakening and 'it' knows the end is near. What if we are the disease Ronni." Lieutenant Erikson suggested. "What if they view our universe and anything indigenous from that universe to be a disease of some kind."
"That would mean that the barrier will continue to expand until the vortex is closed."
"I think we could assume so." Greer agreed. "The Breen vessel was destroyed by an electric blast originating from within the vortex itself. After that the vortex shrunk considerably. The barrier is pushing fluidic matter towards the vortex which is entering our universe and slowly closing it."
"So the prognosis is eventually anything remaining, that doesn't escape back through the vortex before it collapses, will be destroyed."
Greer simply looked at Ronni since they could only propose what was happening. Unfortunately the facts seemed to fit the theory.
By: Price
Time seemed to be passing slowly compared to the pounding of Captain Price' heart. He was glad they had been able to receive a signal from out of the vortex that contained the life signs of three of the away team members. Now it was a rush against time to find a way to recover the stranded officers from the fluidic region beyond the singularity.
Everyone was working diligently to see to it that happened. Engineering and Science was working together to make the necessary modifications to the transporter and deflector array. Lieutenant Commander Deiran Casey had gone down to lend a hand personally, while officers Idana and O'Hare continued to work on the signal they were receiving from the vortex, trying to listen to see if the signal would change in any way, possible sending a message. The signal seemed to just be repeating over and over again. Until it stopped transmitting.
"Captain," Ensign Idana started, "sir, I've just lost the signal from the vortex. It just suddenly stopped."
Captain Price walked over to the science station and leaned over the Ensign's shoulder to watch as she recalibrated the receivers. "I'm running a diagnostic sir, but everything appears to be in order. They just stopped transmitting."
Lee glanced at the monitor and then at the faces of the officers on the bridge that were all listening to the new development. "They must have shut it down for some reason 'mate."
"Why would they do that Captain?" Idana asked.
Lee shook his head, "I can't say Ensign. Maybe they need to use the tricorder for some other purpose. Or possibly they are reprogramming a new message to transmit. Lieutenant Thomas," Captain Price called out, "How long before we are ready to transmit a signal back into the vortex?"
The Operations Officer checked his console before replying, "A few more minutes Captain. Lieutenant Samara is still working on the communications system."
"Right 'mate. Soon as you get word from K'Eytyanna that the system is ready to transmit, broadcast a message into the vortex to let the away team know we are working on getting them out of there."
"Will do Captain." Chris acknowledged.
A short time later, the communications channel chirped, ["Lieutenant Samara to Bridge. The modifications to the communications systems are complete. We can transmit when ready."]
Lieutenant Thomas quickly responded to K'Eytyanna's hail, and then began sending out the transmission the Captain had ordered while crossing his fingers that the away team would be there to hear it. "Transmitting now sir." Chris explained.
"Good work Lieutenant." Lee gave the operations Officer a nod before glancing back to the Science Stations where Ensign Idana and O'Hare were working, "Continue listening on all frequencies for any transmissions from the vortex. Erikson may be reconfiguring the tricorder to emit a new message, especially if they receive our transmission."
"Yes sir." Ensign O'Hare responded before returning to the computer terminal on Science Station two. Idana also nodded, adjusting the ships sensors for continuous scan on all frequencies.
Turning back forward, Lee tapped his Comm badge. "Price to Sterner."
A moment later there was a reply, ["Sterner here Captain."]
"How are we progressing on the modifications to the ship 'mate?" the Captain asked.
["Well Captain, Chief Mercury is busy making the necessary modifications to the ships forward deflector dish to project the multiphasic energy stream. He has most of Engineering working on that now sir. Lieutenant Samara should be joining him as well, now that she's finished with the modifications to the communications systems. Rodley, Sullax and Lieutenant Boudreau are currently working on the transporter systems to try and increase their range. I Believe 'Commander Casey and Ensign Gretzky are working on the Galaxy's shields, making sure the metaphasic shielding is still functioning for when we reenter the Vortex."] the Executive Officer explained.
"Any estimate on when everything should be completed 'mate? Erikson and company are running out of time. I'd rather not cut things too close if it can be helped." Lee asked.
["If everything continues progressing without any unforeseen problems, we should have everything ready to go within an hour Captain."] Joerg explained, ["I was planning on going to Main Engineering to lend Lieutenant Mercury a hand, if that is all right with you sir."]
"Bonzer idea 'mate. Keep me informed Commander. Price out."
The channel closed and Captain Price looked out the main view screen with a concerned look on his face as he anticipated taking the Galaxy back into that churning vortex. He wished that the Breen scientists they had rescued earlier could have provided them with more information about this vortex, but the 'guests' we being very evasive about all questions.
*****
*** Residential Apartments, deck 9 of the USS Galaxy ***
The door slid open with a swoosh. The two uniformed Breen stood there and glanced at the pair of security officers who stood guard in the corridor.
"We wish to see our colleagues in your ship's healing facility." The feminine one requested.
Glancing at Lieutenant' Albrecht, Lieutenant Paran slowly nodded. We will escort you to our sickbay. If you will come this way?" the Bajoran motioned for the two Breen to follow him. Matthew took up to the rear and helped Paran march them to the nearest turbolift. Everyone was silent when they entered the lift and the doors closed, other than Paran ordering "Sickbay", before the lift began to move.
Soon they were on the busy deck. Stopping just before sickbay, Paran stepped aside, "This is our medical facility here on the Galaxy. Your companions are inside." He motioned with a hand, indicating they could enter.
"Thank You." the feminine one replied. The other Breen just let out a sound that felt like a disapproving grunt. Paran and Matthew just glanced at each other as they walked past and entered sickbay.
The two Breen, quickly gained the attention of the medical staff. "We have come to visit our two companions." The feminine one announced while they stood there waiting to be taken to the ICU ward.
By: "Dianne Heppel"
Alyssa looked towards Captain Price to see how he was taking this. Her attention was called back to the console by a series of beeping.
Captain, I've just lost the signal from the Vortex it just stopped. Alyssa told the Captain. She then started to run a diagnostic on the ships sensor array. "I am running a diagnostic but everthing seems to be operational" Alyssa told the Captain. Captain Price suggested that maybe they needed to use the Tricorder for something else or maybe they were reconfiguring it to send a message. Deep Down Alyssa hoped so.
By: Si
*
Door was to used to knowing the day to day events on the ship to be kept out of things.
He knew what was happening with the lost crewmembers, but he didn't know what was being done about them- and he desperatly wanted to. Not that he'd be one to stick his nose into other people's business... Leaning on the bar, he realised that all he would really need to do was to reach out with his mind and pluck the infomation from an unsuspecting officer- No, he couldn't. Well, maybe later. In the meantime, he began to walk around the main lounge area of 10-forward and collect the various empty glasses and plates that had been left by departing officers.
He smiled at a man and a woman in gold uniforms as they got up from their seats and headed out of the sliding doors. Things were slowing down as Beta-shift began, and most officers were either returning to thier quarters or manning their posts. He really did need someone to ask about those officers- after all, if you couldn't tell your barman something, then what?
His superior, a delighful Orion named Electra, had left him in charge of the bar for a short while, even on tihs, his first day on the job, even though he ahd been pointed by the fleet. He was proud that she trusted him enough to do so... but then what could go wrong? Nothing, Nothing at all. At least, that's what he hoped. there ahd been a bit of a sticky moment when a stardrifter he had made turned a nasty shade of puce.
She had showed him the 'office' from which she conducted the bar's affairs- a largish room that lay through a door just behind the bar, tastfully decroted in fed-standard colour of regulation grey and egg- shell blue, "Divine." Door raised one eyebrow sarcastically at the decore of ten-forward's 'nerve centre'.
It was obviously a place of work and nothing, more, as there were few, if any personal elements that he could see admid the neat piles of PADDs that were aranged on the lone yet comfortable looking desk. Getting back to the swirling thoughts of 'What could possiably go wrong...?' that had invaded his arrogant mind, he placed his feet up on the desk and kicked back on the chair before a smashing noise rudly interupted him. Yelping up, he sent the PADDs cascading on his way to the door.
There were too small children, both boys, squatted behind the bar in a small ocean of smashed glass and dark orange liquid. As Door's realitly gigantic frame loomed over them, they son dissappeared, and, not wanting anyone to know about this little incident, especially after Electra had trusted him like that, began to clean up.
"Excuse me?"
Door stood up, and, in true slapstick-I-can't-believe-you-didn't-see- that-coming fashion, slammed his head into the underside of the bar with force. Pain shattered into the back of his head, a strong, dull hurt that extended down his neck. He looked over the top of the bar at his visitor who had concern for Door's head marked across her face. When she saw his face however, the Bajoran woman's eyes widened and blinked in consealed shock.
Her thoughts flicked into Door's mind.
"Yes, but I'm also half Betazoid." he pre-empted her question that she would never dare ask. She blushed at her show of shock at seeing a half Cardassian, and then her embaressment at him also being a half Betazoid.
"Door, how do you do?" he asked, extending an orange, sticky hand.
"Casey-Ti Miran." she said, declining the shake.
By: Rob
In the bows of the great ship, Deiran worked. His mind and body exhausted. He had planned to be with his beautiful wife by now. He never expected all of this to happen. He couldn’t just stop, turn his back on his crew mates. He couldn’t do that. Wouldn’t do it.
He remembered the never say die look Samara gave him when he told her to fill David in on the plans they had been working on. Deiran had seen that look on everyone’s face on Gamma shift. And as people realized the severity of the situation, those on Alpha shift started getting that will, that look that said we’ll work ourselves ragged, but we’ll get those people home safe.
Deiran was on auto pilot by this time. Picking up needed tools to reconfigure the shields so they emitted a metaphasic shielding frequency that would allow them to enter the Vortex. Deiran thought the very idea was suicide. He knew the captain realized his objections.
Still, Deiran worked feverishly to get this job done within the hour.
"Gretsky, give me the Metaphasic kinetic coupler please?" Deiran asked as his head was buried in wires and iso chips. His hand outstretched, waiting to feel the tool in his hand.
"Yes sir."
"How are you coming on the EFS?" Deiran asked.
"Fine sir, the computer is almost ready to accept the metaphasic energy needed to sustain the shield shell."
Deiran had Ensign Gretsky working on reconfiguring the shield power levels so they could handle the energy needed for the metaphasic shields. Deiran was working on getting the computer to allow it to work, and making sure the shields held. He had studied every single bit of information taken from the time the Galaxy first came in contact with the vortex. Every reading, every frequency, every power fluctuation. Deiran wasn’t leaving anything to chance.
One last modification. "There my part’s done Ensign."
"Mine too sir," the Ensign replied.
"Okay Gretsky, lets get out of this Jeffrey Tube. How about I buy you a drink?"
"Sounds good sir." "Casey to Commander Sterner," Casey said as he crawled to the exit of the Jeffrey’s Tube.
[Sterner here ‘Commander.]
"Sir, the shields are ready to emit the metaphasic shielding shell. I’ve tested it thoroughly. It’s as strong as it’s going to get. I have tried to plan for every contingency sir, based on the readings we have received already. If this configuration of the shields doesn’t hold in the Vortex, nothing will sir." Deiran was serious. He had made the shields as strong as they were ever going to get. He even asked the Captain to take power from other secondary and auxiliary systems and integrated it into the metaphasic power to the shields.
[Good work ‘Commander. I’ll relay that to the Captain.]
"I’ll be in Ten-Forward if you need me Commander. Casey out," Deiran said as he ended the transmission.
*** Ten-Forward ***
Gretsky and Casey walked into the almost empty room.
The two officers walked up to the bar, both were smiling as Casey just told the Ensign a joke.
"Order Ensign," Casey said, allowing him to order first.
Listening to the Ensign’s order, Casey gave his, "I’ll have a tall glass of grape juice."
"Grape Juice sir?" Gretsky asked, puzzled.
"Yeah I don’t even drink synthehol Ensign. I don’t have a taste for it."
"Yep, you’ve never ordered anything with alcohol or synthenol as long as I’ve been here ‘Commander," Door laughed heartily.
"Yep, and I never will Door. Never will. Hey Door let me ask you a question?" Casey asked.
"Sure ‘Commander."
"What side do you want to win in this war? Do you have any love for Cardassia? I don’t mean to be rude. Its just I’ve been fighting this war for so long, I’m wary of anything Cardassian. You understand."
It was clear, that all the killing, the death that had been inflicted on his friends and fellow officers in Starfleet had effected Deiran. Door, being half-Cardassian would have to earn Casey’s trust.
By: Simon Hawke
Robert sat engrossed in his reading. It was a louf crack that brought him out of it, he looked up to see that new bartender holding his head and talking to Commander Casey's wife. The thought of Casey brought him back to reality and a quick check of time revealed he needed to get to the bridge.
He stood and finished his drink, quickly making his way out of the room into the nearest turbolift, "bridge."
A few seconds later he entered the bridge and was immeadiatly struck by the aura of sadness that hung over the ship's nerve center. He stepped over to the Operations station and relieved the person on duty before settling in and throwing in his efforts into finding those lost souls.
Ens. Robert St. John Operations-U.S.S. Galaxy
By: Kahn Nilani
Galaxy "Normal Duty"
I moved over to the stack of padds, looking over who has had a medical exam lately. I found to my surprise that we had gotten slightly behind on our medical examinations, I walked over to D'tarna.
"Um we need to get the following people in for there medical exam's."
["I see Derian's name on the list. Can I get him?"]
"Why?"
["Well before my leave of absence, I chased Derian all over the ship trying to get him in the sickbay."]
I was smiling at this new piece of information. I knew that some of the crew wouldn't be able to turn up straight away but many would.
"Then he is all yours!"
I moved over to the computer terminal and Inputed the following names.
Would all the following people please report to the Sickbay for medical Examinations.
John W. Gretzky
Thank you
"Computer. Send Message"
["Messages have been sent."]
I moved back into my office.
By: Si
*** Ten-Forward ***
"Yeah I don't even drink synthehol Ensign. I don't have a taste for it."
"Yes, you've never ordered anything with alcohol or synthenol as long as I've been here Commander," Door laughed heartily.
"Yep, and I never will Door. Never will. Hey Door let me ask you a question?" Casey asked.
"Sure Commander." door said cautiously, he could tell that although Casey's thoughts were unintentionally going to be /bad/. He could feel the Terran man's mind wieghing things up quickly before he asked the question.
"What side do you want to win in this war? Do you have any love for Cardassia? I don't mean to be rude. Its just I've been fighting this war for so long, I'm wary of anything Cardassian. You understand."
Well, that put him in an awkward position. He hated the fact that so amny people judged him purly for his outward appearence. It may sound idealistic or even pathetic fantasy, and especially in times of war and hatred as these, but what the universe needed in Door's opinion was equality.
Door didn't even have any romotly Cardassian characteristics, or at least characteristics that were duly accountable to mosts' stereotypical view of their goose-stepping Cardies. He was even a follower of the way of the Prophets- his adoptive family ear-ring was worn proudly at all times, his beliefs and practices of the ancient religion were an intregral part of his life...
And yet why did he feel the slow build up of a blush of embarressment boardering on anger when he should just be able to brush such things off?
His Uncle was in the tenth order. His mother didn't think that he knew, but he did. Door had merely been trying to ahck some sort of identity verfication for himself when he spotted him mother's name on a Cardassian military file- and all quite by chance. But no, that couldn't be it, he'd never even know his Uncle existed.
The blush careered up across the burning skin of his chest...
He had to say something, anything to satisfy the Commander, but the only words that foamed at the back of his throat were one of anger and disgust at the prejudice that Casey had not even showm- And /Why/?
"The Federation," he finally choked up, "Quite obviously."
Casey smiled, not in satisfaction, but as if a smile was the natural placement for his facial muscles to fall into, and anything else was fake and being performed.
"And you weren't being rude Commander, just realistic- I do understand." he too smiled, serving the two gentlemen their drinks. He didn't understand really. Not that Casey's question wasn't intended to offend, but as to why he ahd taken offnese. He worried abou himself with regards to how much he was orth as a person, for Door's pagh was one of his most treasured poessions, and losing track of it, a disaster. He would cast the stones later to try and find meaning in this experience.
"I wear the sign of the Prophets-" he continued and turned his head to the side, indicating the eloborate silver piece of sacred jewelry that he wore, "D'You really think that a Cardassian who was true to his people's mould would do so? I live and work on a Federation starship too."
He answered his own argument at that point by thinking to himself, *To spy maybe? Put down the shovel! You've dug deep enough already!*
Door felt the same thought flicker through the Ensign's mind too, but ignored it, turning back to the Commander and smiling warmly, waiting to see if he was finished.
By: "Ryak Sullax"
While Ryak was in route to the bridge he had another change of mind. Now that he was actually thinking clearer he thought that his complaint could wait and he would just go to the transporter room. On the way there he stopped off at his quarters.
"Security...could you let me into my quarters? I wish to contact my legal council." Ryak was hoping that this would give him some time to get somethings in order.
The lieutenant security officer looked at his partner and then unsealed the door. "Make it quick!"
Ryak entered the room alone. The door shut and he sat down at his terminal. "Computer, secure room and chanel for legal council message."
The computer took about a minute before it replied. "Room secured begin secured transmission."
"Computer set link with Lt/Cmd Burtus Legal Council Star Fleet Intelligence."
Onto the screen come an image of Burtus. When he noticed who was calling he started to get nervous. "Ryak what are you doing calling me." Burtus started looking around to see if anybody was around.
"Listen up!" Ryak was starting to get ticked at the way Burtus was acting. "I want to know what is going on. I am under arrest here and you guys are giving security here a hard time. Why is that?"
"The upper echelon here got nervous and thought that this way security would just chalk it up to you being a isolated instance. We can't have former operatives using SI codes when they are no longer authorized to do so. The brass here wants to use this to make an example out of you. They are still upset over your failure on your last assignment before you were let go. It wasn't the brightest idea in the world to use an old SI override code to run a simple holodeck program. You tripped alarms all over the net when you did that. Now, it's pretty much out of our hands. "
"What are you babbling about! I used the code that you guys gave me, along with the program you told me to use on that assignment. You knew that I work alone. The reason why I got hurt was because the simulated security personnel got in my way and I killed one by accident! That is why I lost control! This is your DAMN fault! Either you clear this up soon before it gets out of hand or you will have a lot more problems than you think!"
"Ryak, you know I cannot do anything about this. You broke the law when you used that secret intelligence code on the Galaxy's holodeck. And we have your signed non-disclosure agreement you signed at your discharge debriefing. You could be looking at doing some serious time over this if SI chooses to put the screws to you. I'd suggest you stay calm and behave. If you are lucky, you'll just get a slap on the wrist and the boys here will fix everything with security on the Galaxy."
"Listen, security here is a whole lot brighter than you think. I have had a run in with their chief. She is good. She is not going to buy your usual antics on this one."
"Leave them up to us we are working on it."
"Look! What if they find out about this?" Ryak pulled up his sleeve to show his tattoo.
Burtus's face went pail. He started to stutter. "I...I...I...Um...Listen Ryak. Put that away."
"I worked with them for a year remember...."
"And that's just another excellent reason why we should hall your butt in and let you rot in prison. If we can not trust you to keep your word and refrain from using secret override codes for your personal entertainment..." Burtus said sarcastically, "how can we expect you to keep your word shut about the operation on Romulus? There are some here that are glad you violated your discharge agreement. Now you've given them the reason they need to quiet you once and for all."
"I still have friends Burtus. Friends in all places..." Ryak snipped back.
"I can't talk any more, Burtus out." He responded as somebody walked into his office.
Ryak got up from his seat pulled his dagger out of his boot and placed it in his desk. He then walked over to his dresser and put a new coat of cover up on his tattoo. At that moment the two very nervous security officers entered the room. Just as Ryak pulled down his sleeve and shoved the cover up into his top drawer.
"Lets go Ensign!"
"Very well." Ryak responded as he tried to catch his breath.
The three of them left his quarters, re-sealed the door and went to the transporter room.
Chris Gagne
***** Look what the Cat dragged in. *****
***** Cat's Quarters *****
Felicia 'Cat' Khatroweena looked red-eyed, bleary and Sunder thought he could detect the faint odour of alcohol (actual - not synthihol ) on her breath as she opened the door. Her face seemed to brighten up a bit when she saw that it was Ursa at the door, but other than that, it was pretty true to say that at the moment, Felicia was far from felicitous.
Her hair looked like it had been cruelly sandwiched between an unconscious head and a relentlessly soft pillow, resulting in the dreaded 'bed-head' effect that has plagued humanoids of every race and gender throughout the galaxy. Her clothes were an after-thought: a combination of various pieces of leisure articles that were prized more for their comfort than their appearance. Two woollen slipper-socks of different colours, a pair of leggings that had more holes in them than a string bag, and a bedraggled over-sized tunic that could have only come from the finest llamas of the Peruvian Andes mountains back on Earth. Her eyes were ringed with shadows and her face was lined with savage worry. Cat's tail, an ever-reliable barometer of Cat's emotions was hanging down.
" Damn. " Sunder said, unable to stop himself from staring. Suddenly Cat realized how she must have looked. Her face quickly became animated as she gave a small yeow and closed the door, reappearing a few minutes later after finding a robe to throw over herself. Her hair tied up in a quick, but smart ponytail and the slipper-socks had found themselves a new home under the bed somewhere.
" Ursa... how nice to see you. " She said in greeting, attempting to adopt a casual pose in the doorway, and yet looking hopelessly awkward.
" Thanks. " He replied, trying to regain his own sense of decorum. " I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd pop in for a visit. " His face changed with an attitude of serious concern. " You didn't look all that happy in Ten-Forward the other night and I wasn't able to stop by then. But I'm here now. "
" Oh, that's sweet. Thanks for worrying. I'm fine - honestly I am. I'll work it out
as soon as... " She paused, realizing that she was going to say 'as soon as AC and Ronni get back. ' With that thought in her mind her eyes started to flood with tears. Ursa put out his hands, not knowing what to do. He wasn't used to obvious displays of emotion.
Cat reached for his arms instinctively, allowing herself to gain strength from Sunder's presence. Ursa was suddenly aware of the eyes of the passing crew members in the hall and began to move Cat back into her quarters.
" C'mon, let's go inside and talk. " He said, gently moving the weeping doctor away from the open doorway. He moved her towards a chair and walked to the replicator.
" One glass of Epellian mountain glacier water, 2 degrees celsius. " He ordered. As soon as the glass materialized he took it back to a grateful Cat. Between sniffs, she thanked him and managed a few sips. Her eyes widened and she looked at the water with a shocked expression.
" Wow - what is that? " She exclaimed.
" It's mountain water from an area on the Orion Homeworld where my clan lives. It's reputed to have healing properties. Old folks have sworn by it for centuries. "
She regarded the water - and Sunder suspiciously. " There's more than just water in this. "
Sunder looked sheepish. " You've got a pretty sensitive palate. You're right. The mountains have veins of yittriu rock running through them... "
" One of the illegal mineral narcotics that the Orion Clans smuggle through the Federation rim-worlds every now and then. " Cat said, quickly putting the glass down on a nearby table. " I don't indulge in recreational narcotics. " She said angrily.
Sunder quickly held up warding hands. " Hey! Whoa! Neither do I! The water is fine, honest. I wouldn't have been able to replicate it if it wasn't okay with Starfleet Replication Protocols. The yttriu in the water acts as a mild relaxant while slightly stimulating the various pleasure centres of the hippocampus. It's good medicine and just what the doctor needed. " He finished.
" Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. It's just this vortex thing and AC, and Ronni, Greer." Cat quietly whispered and slowly shook her head. "And I don't know if they're ever going to make it back. "
Sunder paused to consider. " I understand. It's difficult when you've friends on the front line. We've all been there. Everybody takes the risk, but friends aren't prepared to take the consequences. "
Cat looked at him, clearing some more tears away. " You're right. We don't worry about ourselves as much as we worry about our friends. Strange way the mind works in situations like these, isn't it? "
Sunder exhaled deeply. " Situations like these tend to bring out the best in people. Drink some more Epellian; it'll make you feel better. "
Cat took another swallow of the water. " Thanks for seeing me. I know I'm not at my best right now. But... Thanks."
" That's when friends need to see each other. " He added with a shy smile. " I just wanted to make sure you were okay. As for your friends, well, my opa used to say that life thrives when people pay attention to it. The more you think about them, the stronger their will to survive is. I'm sure we'll hear from them soon. "
Cat's eyes shone through the tears. " Thanks Ursa. I mean it. "
" My pleasure. " He placed his hands on his knees and stood up. " Well, I should get back to station now. I believe the Breen are due for a questioning soon and it might be advisable if I were present. " He motioned with his hands. " Drink it all up now. "
" You know, this might be turn out to be my favourite drink. " She said.
" It comes a close second to a thick chocolate milk shake. " Sunder said with a wry smile. " It's a lot healthier, but in my eyes, you can never replace chocolate. Give me a call if you need to talk. "
" I will. "
" Good. " With that, Sunder turned and walked out the door.
Breenies and Weenies
by Lt (jg) Endris Gakor "The cost of being in Starfleet"
by Lt. Thomas
GM --- Fleet Captain William E. Churchill - USS Atlantis
Lt. Commander John Bruce - USS Sulu
Lt. Christopher Thomas - USS Galaxy
"Erin, You're Wearin' a Wonderful Smile"
by Lt. Alan Hewson
For I see Erin wearin' a smile;
And dried are the tears
That were fallin' for years
On her own darlin' Emerald Isle.” "Initiation."
by Lt. Greer Erikson
Chief Science Officer, USS Galaxy
by: Ensign Robert St. John
UIN #: 7881757 "Signs of life"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price "The Time Will Come"
By: Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer USS Galaxy
A.K.A. Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer
USS Galaxy
Contact at: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com "Two’s Company"
USS GALAXY
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey "no title"
by Lt K'Eytyanna Samara by Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, Lieutenant (jg), USS Galaxy NCC-70637 Sleepless Nights
By Lieutenant (JG) Jack Lawson
Security Officer
USS Galaxy "The Rescue"
By Ensign Johannis O'Hare
additions by Captain Price "Everything Clear"
By: Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer USS Galaxy
with help from Dr. Khatroweena
A.K.A. Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer
USS Galaxy
Contact at: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com "Can it get any worse?"
by Lt. Greer Erikson
Chief Science Officer, USS Galaxy "A brand new day"
by Commander Joerg Sterner
Executive Officer, USS Galaxy "Playing with bugs"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price "Simulation"
by Ensign Neg’Puj and Ensign James Chen
Security Officers Alyssa always wanted to serve on board a Galaxy Class Starship. She finally got her chance. She graduated from Starfleet Acadamey several Weeks ago and was assigned to the USS Galaxy, the Flagship of the Fleet. Smiling she then remembered how excited one of her past hosts had been when he was given an assignment on the USS Enterprise under James T Kirk. For the first few days Alyssa was aboard everything was quiet. The Galaxy was on a routine patrol mission. Alyssa Enjoyed her posting to Gamma Shift. Favor
Casey Ti Miran "Good News"
by Lt. Tebrianne Bancroft
dodger@hevanet.com
UIN# 2172851 Making rounds was a habit Sunder had picked up from ... God knows where. Somewhat akin to the beats old-fashioned police officers back on Earth used to walk, Sunder always made it a point at some point in the day to physically check on the various security stations around the ship. It was good exercise and it was a personal touch that couldn't be replaced by machines, scanners, or computers. "...And Life Goes On"
By Lieutenant K'arta Transporter Blues
by Lt (jg) Endris Gakor
reviewed by Captain Price "It can get worse."
by Lieutenant Greer Erikson
Chief Science Officer, USS Galaxy "Signals lost"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price Alyssa spent the last few hours on the bridge monitoring the signal from the Vortex. Everytime there was a minor fluctuation in the signal she hoped they were sending a message through it. Unfortuently that hasn't happened yet and Alyssa was disapointed. "Knock-Knock-Knocking."
By Door,
Son of Dade, Ten-forward Bartender "Pressing The Envelope"
USS GALAXY
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey
UIN #: 7881757
Written by Lt. Kahn Nilani
ACMO
U.S.S. Galaxy
Hudson Dorffen
Banzon Julius
Erin Gayle Parker
Jurelle Tash
Alexander Victor Rodley
Alyssa Idana
Ti, Miran
Deiran Casey
Kornan Rios
Felicia Khatroweena
Robert Edward Lee Price
*note Captain Price report to Sickbay when ever you have the time it will take all of 2 min "Xenophobic Rant."
By Door,
Son of Dade, Ten-forward barkeeper "Star Fleet Intelligence?"
By: Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer USS Galaxy
revisions by Captain Price
A.K.A. Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer
USS Galaxy
Contact at: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com Trevor Ayliffe
(tayliffe@nexus.edu.au)
(ICQ: 3722239)
by Ursa Sunder, Lieutenant Commander, USS Galaxy NCC-70637
w/ Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, Lieutenant (jg)